yacht afternoon tea london

• United Kingdom
• Docklands & Canary Wharf

Sunborn Afternoon Tea

• Good for special occasions
• Great for scenic views

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Additional information.

• Dining style Casual Dining
• Price £26 to £40
• Cuisines Afternoon Tea, British
• Hours of Operation Afternoon Tea Daily 12:30–16:00
• Phone number 020 3714 8111
• Website https://www.sunbornhotels.com/london/restaurant-bar/under-the-sea-afternoon-tea/
• Payment Options AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
• Dress Code Casual Dress
• Executive Chef Paul Ribbands
• Location Sunborn Hotel, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1AA
• Area Docklands
• Cross Street Royal Victoria Docks
• Parking Details None
• Public Transit Royal Victoria DocksCustom House for EXCEL
• Additional Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 318 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews.

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

• 4.3 Service
• 4.4 Ambience

Noise • Energetic

Michael Chritopher

Dined on 11 August 2024

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How is Sunborn Afternoon Tea restaurant rated?

Sunborn Afternoon Tea is rated 4.3 stars by 318 OpenTable diners.

Is Sunborn Afternoon Tea currently accepting bookings?

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Sunborn Hotel, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1AA

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Sunborn London

Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1AA View map

From £ 40 .00 Per Person

At Sunborn London, they provide the ultimate Afternoon Tea. Moored in the endlessly elegant Royal Victoria Dock, this beautiful superyacht provides the last word in timeless luxury, consistently striving to provide unforgettable dining experiences for guests who never settle for second best.

Few experiences can match the sheer decadence and enjoyment of a beautifully presented and meticulously prepared Afternoon Tea. A quintessentially English indulgence of sweet treats, savoury bites, and a perfectly brewed pot shared with your nearest and dearest, it’s a moment of bliss and relaxation, and one which deserves to be delivered in style.

They serve a traditional Afternoon Tea that features a selection of handcrafted delicate cakes and sweets, mini rich butter fruit scones served with fruit preserves and Devonshire clotted cream, and traditional finger sandwiches. 

Afternoon Tea Menu

Sunborn London Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1AA

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It's Just Becks

Travel and Lifestyle Blog

Itinerary Ideas , London , Restaurant Review · October 30, 2022

Indulge in Luxury with the Sunborn Yacht Afternoon Tea

Sunborn Yacht afternoon tea is a luxury experience for those who are looking for something different. Set in a stunning space with an amazing view of the Docklands, it’s perfect for people who want to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with a twist. I mean, how often do you get to enjoy afternoon tea on a yacht?

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I get commission if you use them. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only recommend what I trust!

Find What You're Looking For

Where is the Sunborn Yacht?

London Docklands, as with so much of the city, is steeped in history. In its prime, it was the part of the port of London, which at one time was the biggest port in the world. Over the years the ports of London scaled back massively and the area was neglected, becoming a not so desirable part of the city. Thankfully, a lot of money was invested and London Docklands has become a vibrant, modern and desirable place to spend time.

The Sunborn Yacht is permanently docked in what was formerly the Royal Victoria Docks. These days, it’s just a stone’s throw from the Excel exhibition centre, and surrounded by hotels, bars and residential areas.

From the restaurant where afternoon tea is served, the view looks out over the water, with flats in the distance and the city of London creates a dramatic skyline.

As you approach Sunborn Yacht, it’s hard not to have a wow moment. Claimed to be the only super yacht hotel experience available in the UK, it is eye-wateringly huge and not easy to miss as you approach.

On board, there are standard hotel rooms and luxurious suites, as well as a restaurant and bar. The restaurant hosts guests and general public for both dinner and afternoon tea, enjoyed with stunning views of London from the aptly named Land’s End Restaurant.

Sunborn Yacht also offers conference space, and if you’re really after the wow factor, you can even get married on the yacht!

Sunborn Yacht Afternoon Tea menu

As with most traditional afternoon teas, the Sunborn Yacht offers a three-tier dining experience. On the bottom layer, the sandwiches are lined up for easy viewing of the fillings. Middle layer follows traditional afternoon tea with the scones, and on the top layer are the desserts.

The sandwiches on offer are traditional British choices such as ham and mustard, coronation chicken, salmon and creme fraiche, beef and horseradish and egg mayo. Served with different types of bread, with one filling in a brioche roll, this is far from a standard sandwich plate.

Moving on to the scone layer, two raisin scones are on offer per person, accompanied by clotted cream and a small jar of fruit jam or preserve. Although the scones are modest in size, they’re delicious and the perfect size to be enjoyed alongside the rest of the afternoon tea.

Coming to the final dish of sweets, this is where the creativity of the chef usually comes through. For the Sunborn Yacht afternoon tea, you’re treated to an Earl Grey panna cotta – keeping on trend with the afternoon tea – plus a chocolate delice, a mini jam tart and a delicious passionfruit cheesecake.

You can view the full Sunborn Yacht afternoon tea menu as of October 2022 here .

How to book Afternoon Tea on the Sunborn Yacht

You can book afternoon tea directly on the Sunborn Yacht website , or via a third party provider.

Can I buy a voucher?

The Sunborn Yacht Afternoon Tea is a unique idea for a gift, and vouchers are available for afternoon tea or afternoon tea with cocktails directly on the Sunborn Yacht website .

There are also vouchers on Wowcher for a discounted rate, though there are usually time limitations on these, for example only during the week.

Does the yacht move?

Nope! The yacht is permanently moored in the dock, and has virtually no movement or swaying despite being in the water.

Is there a dress code?

Afternoon tea is still considered a nice way to spend the afternoon and an event to dress up for. While there’s no formal dress code, you’ll likely feel a little out of place if you turn up in joggers and a hoody. It’s best to aim for smart-casual.

How to get to Sunborn Yacht

By car: Sunborn Yacht is permanently docked just next door to the Excel Exhibition Centre, so the car park there is conveniently located to use for access.

By public transport: If you’re arriving by tube, the nearest stations are Custom House (Elizabeth Line and DLR) or Canning Town (Jubilee Line).

By cable car: If you’re coming from/ going to Greenwich after, don’t miss the opportunity to catch the cable car!

Can you stay on board the Sunborn Yacht?

If you’re looking for a really luxurious experience, you can pair your afternoon tea with a stay on board the Sunborn Yacht Hotel . It’s a great location for exploring East London, but with accommodation as quirky and fancy as this, wouldn’t you want to stay on board and enjoy it?

My experience

My cousin recently got married and as a belated celebration we had a girl’s day enjoying the Sunborn Yacht afternoon tea. Four of us made our way to the yacht on a chilly October day, with the rain clouds threatening overhead.

Stepping out from the dockside lift into the main lobby, we were greeted with an instant wow factor. The grand chandelier hung between the curved staircases, and we made our way up to the restaurant to be shown to our table. It was fairly quiet in the restaurant despite being 1pm on a Saturday, but we didn’t mind as we were here for two things: cakes and catch ups.

The staff were very attentive, and our hot drinks appeared in front of us in no time: two teas, two coffees. As we started to settle in, the plate stands were placed on the table and we got stuck in. I don’t know about you, but our method is start at the bottom with the sandwiches, and work our way up to the scones and then desserts.

My mum and I shared our plate stand, offering to swap sandwiches we each didn’t like. My favourite was the ham and mustard on soft, squidgy white bread, with just enough mustard to give it a hint of ohh without overpowering the thick slices of ham.

Moving up the scones, the age old debate of jam or cream first was quickly settled with a generous smooshing of both. I had an unusual selection of blackcurrant jam, and while initially I wasn’t sure, it turned out to be quite a nice change. The other pot of jam on our plate was raspberry, a firm favourite in my family to have with scones.

The top plate was calling to us, but we’re old hands at this afternoon tea game and knew the key was pacing. Thankfully we were in great company and managed to stretch our afternoon tea out over several hours, being offered top ups on our drinks at regular intervals. By the time we were ready to head off, any leftover food had really been sat out too long to request a doggy bag.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely! The yacht is very impressive, and although a large portion of it is the hotel, the view from the restaurant over the water is gorgeous. If it’s a sunny day and you can sit outside, just wow. There aren’t many places you can enjoy afternoon tea on a boat in London, so it has a unique feel to it.

The food was delicious and the service was excellent, what more could you ask for? Oh, price. In comparison to the cost of afternoon tea at some of London’s fancier spots, the Sunborn Yacht afternoon tea is very reasonably priced, especially if you can snag a voucher on a discount website!

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Reader Interactions

October 30, 2022 at 5:00 pm

I’m always up for afternoon tea, and the Sunborn looks like the perfect place to be! PS: I’m a jam first, then cream gal! 😉

October 30, 2022 at 9:32 pm

Jam then cream? Controversial 😜

November 1, 2022 at 12:26 pm

I never say no to an Afternoon Tea in London and this one is very close to my former base in East London. Definitely a cool spot to check out. The pricing is very moderate and I would love to try it myself. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and making me aware that this experience exists.

Carolin | Solo Travel Story

November 1, 2022 at 2:32 pm

Such an amazing way to spend an afternoon for a special occasion! Now that I think of it, I don’t think I’ve had a proper afternoon tea ever, even during my stay in the UK – though I *did* have a lot of scones (with cream first! I think my method would be the same as you: starting at the bottom then making my way to the top layers!

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The Yacht London

Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, United Kingdom, WC2R 2PN

Indulge in a delicious afternoon tea with panoramic views of the river Thames & Southbank landmarks. Afternoon tea is served Thursday to Saturday 12.00 – 15.00

London’s Premier Waterside Restaurant & Events Venue. On Board a Luxury 1927 Steam Yacht. Providing Spectacular Events and Beautiful British Dishes.

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London's best luxury afternoon teas

Dalloway terrace.

If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a country garden during a stay in the city, head to Dalloway Terrace at the Bloomsbury Hotel. The floral displays and themed décor are changed to suit each season, shrouding guests in a lush and totally instagrammable environment upon entry. Whether seated amidst fir branches on fur-lined seats for winter, or dining beneath blooming cherry blossoms and whimsical wisteria in the spring, stepping onto the terrace for afternoon tea will instantly transport guests into a floral fantasy. The food is naturally seasonal as well; the ever-changing menu offers a creative variety of treats and drinks with rich, dark flavours during the winter months contrasted with fresh and floral delights to be enjoyed al fresco in warmer weather. Situated in London’s historical academic hub, the hotel’s atmosphere is inspired by the artistic ambience of Bloomsbury’s famous 20th century creatives and is the perfect stop-off during a tour of the borough’s best museums.

Prices start from £35 per person.

The Tiffany Blue Box Cafe at Harrods

The latest addition to London’s afternoon tea scene, The Tiffany Blue Box Café is ideal for those looking to add a little bit of sparkle to their experience. The Blue Box Café concept, which went down a treat in New York and Hong Kong, has now crossed the pond with its first European location in Harrods. Situated on the lower ground floor its design is inspired by the iconic blue box and mimics the Blue Box Café at the brand’s flagship Fifth Avenue store. Featuring the brand’s epochal shade of Tiffany Blue® additional touches include amazonite stone features and hand painted Tiffany’s flora and fauna motifs. There is of course also a bevy of Tiffany jewellery on display for you to ogle over while you dine.

The Tiffany Afternoon Tea is equally as bedazzling as the surrounding jewels. Starting with an amuse-bouche on arrival, it is then followed by a selection of sandwiches, including egg and black truffle and warm parmesan madeleine. The delights continue with a selection of scones, served with clotted cream and preserves (you can decide whether you chose the Devon or Cornwall way). The finale of sweets is the real pièce de résistance with highlights including a Tiffany’s Blue Egg (made from lemon curd and mascarpone) and a Big Apple, an apple pie recreated to look like a normal apple. All of this is served up on Tiffany tablewear in perfect keeping with the surroundings. If afternoon tea doesn’t fit with your schedule then you can also pop in for a real life breakfast at Tiffany, with all butter croissants, Cornish crab muffins and Faroe-Islands smoked salmon all on the menu.

Prices for the Tiffany Afternoon Tea start from £69 with hand-picked loose-leaf tea and £84 with a glass of Harrods, Brut NV.

The Ritz, Mayfair

The Ritz has been serving afternoon tea since it opened its doors in 1906, and that sense of heritage is just one of the reasons the Mayfair hotel has continued to attract guests from far and wide – and remains the best of the best. Served in the hotel’s ornate Palm Court, complete with glittering chandeliers and elegant mirrors, the tea includes a selection of finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve, and a mouthwatering range of exquisitely presented pastries and teacakes that are constantly replenished. What’s more, The Ritz London is the only hotel in the UK to have a certified tea sommelier, Giandomenico Scanu, who travels around the world to various tea plantations to source their selection of teas. As well as 18 different types of loose-leaf tea to choose from, guests can also sip a glass of champagne to add some extra sparkle to the occasion. The last seating of the day, commencing at 7.30pm, feels particularly elegant and romantic as the tea is accompanied by an opera singer and pianist or live band, which makes for a perfect alternative to an evening dinner. The service is sublime as is the overall ambience.

Prices start from £60 for adults and £40 for children.

Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly

Fortnum & Mason’s Tea Salon, opened by HM The Queen herself to mark her Diamond Jubilee, represents delicious proof of the department store’s endless obsession with extraordinary tea. Epitomising the sophistication of Afternoon and High Tea in all its splendour, Fortnum’s Tea Salon is finger sandwich, cake and scone heaven, with trademark eau de nil china and the biggest selection of fine teas you will ever see. They sell over 100 rare and exotic teas from India, China, Nepal, Japan, Ceylon, along with their own traditional blends and a new range of green teas. Tea experts are also on hand to help you choose your perfect blend – and be sure to pick up some tea to take home, too. A children’s afternoon tea is also available featuring light finger sandwiches, plain and fruit scones and a selection of cakes including jammy dodgers served with your choice of hot chocolate, classic blend tea, fruit juice or a glass of milk.

Prices start from £49 per person

The Goring, Westminster

Afternoon tea at The Goring is a world-renowned affair which celebrates the much-loved English tradition in all its quintessential splendour. The Goring has been perfecting the art of afternoon tea since it opened its doors over a century ago. Complete with delicate pastries, scones and sandwiches, served with the finest blended and first-flush teas from around the world, and topped off with a glass of Bollinger champagne, the afternoon tea service is reason alone to visit The Goring. Afternoon tea is served in the luxurious, five-star surroundings of the Bar & Lounge every day and also in The Dining Room on Saturdays. The Goring Bar and Lounge feature designer décor inspired by Chateau de Mal Maison, Napoleon’s wife Empress Josephine’s home, and an impressive list of Champagnes, wines, spirits and cocktails. The inviting ambience and comfortable furnishings make it the perfect location for enjoying a working lunch, an indulgent afternoon tea or a relaxed evening drink. And designed by David Linley, The Dining Room is bathed in natural light by day and sumptuously aglow with Swarovski chandeliers at night. Served since 1910, afternoon tea at The Goring is particularly special. As the only hotel to hold a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen for hospitality services, you can be absolutely certain that everything upon your visit will be impeccable.

St Ermin's, Westminster

The St. Ermin’s Tea Lounge and library offers guests the perfect environment to relax and indulge in the delights of afternoon tea whether it’s the afternoon tea with unlimited prosecco, the gluten-free offering or the ‘Mini Gardener’ afternoon tea selection, created especially for children.Inspired by the St. Ermin’s rooftop kitchen garden, the Mini Gardener tea was introduced to encourage little fingers to become green fingers. The younger members of the family can enjoy their very own summer tea and go on an adventure to the see the Hotel’s 350,000 Buckfast Honey bees hard at work on the third floor Bee Terrace! Beelicious treats from the kid’s menu include Nutella sandwiches, an apple mousse and chocolate and caramel pot, as well as a vanilla sponge. Each child also receives a special gardening pack from Mud & Bloom including organic seeds to take home. Summer afternoon tea is served daily in the pretty and intimate Tea Lounge, with children’s tea available during the school holidays and at weekends.

Prices from £15 per child

The Cavendish, St James

The Cavendish Hotel was once owned by Rosa Lewis, the so called “Duchess of Jermyn Street”. She was not, in fact, a duchess, but a chef, favoured by Edward VII. Today, The Cavendish draws on this pedigree to create an exquisite afternoon tea experience in the heart of Mayfair. Taking inspiration from the tailors native to its Jermyn Street locale, the tea is elegant, measured and quintessentially British. One can indulge in a selection of delicacies, including dainty finger sandwiches, delectable desserts and delightfully fluffy scones with clotted cream and jam. The Cavendish’s carefully curated selection of Newby loose leaf teas are undeniably a wonderful accompaniment, but we are of the opinion that afternoon tea is best served with champagne (of the bottomless variety). Opt for the free-flowing champagne or prosecco for ninety minutes of pure decadence.

Prices start from £29 per person

The Stafford, St James

At The Stafford, one plays the role of gastronomic flaneur, allowing the palette to wander St James’s historic streets. Conceived at the fin de siecle as a gentlemen’s club, the hotel boasts a rich history inextricable from its West End location. Their classic finger fare and dainty bon bouche are made in the image of the wares of St James’s oldest boutiques - think James J. Fox chocolate cigars and Henry Poole & Co almond shortbread “tuxedos”. This reverence for local esoterica could feel gimmicky but top-notch execution ground the endeavour - the tin of Chantilly cream is to die for! The novel aspect is bound to entice tourists while the spectacle of the Tea Ceremony, featuring signature teas from Camellia’s Tea House, ought to whet the appetites of discerning Londoners.  The stately Game Bird restaurant, with its black marble Ionic columns and luxe velvet seating, provides the perfect backdrop to this culinary amble.

Prices start from £45 per person

The Savoy, Strand

The Savoy regularly tops “best of” lists, and for good reason; with over one hundred and thirty years of experience, they have refined and perfected the art of afternoon refreshment. Afternoon tea was originally conceived by the Duchess of Bedford as a light and convivial repast, during which society ladies could convene and chatter about the affairs of the day. The waitstaff, always attentive, never overbearing, expertly honour this tradition, allowing tearoom conversation to flourish. The sound of tinkling ivories and silver clinking against bone china whisks one back to the days when ladies would dance the thé dansant beneath the stained glass cupola. The old world gentility of the Thames Foyer is a splendid setting, ideal for special occasions. Foodwise, all the usual suspects are present, complete with classic finger sandwiches, cakes and scones. If The Savoy errs on the side of tradition, it does so impeccably. After all, why change something already perfected?

Traditional Afternoon Tea starts at £75 per person

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London’s best afternoon teas

Tiny sandwiches, little cakes and cuppas. These London cafes, restaurants and hotels all offer luxe afternoon teas

Afternoon tea. Yes, it's twee, but there is something quite fun about working your way through what's essentially dessert tapas, especially when you’re at one of London’s top hotels  or  restaurants . We've rounded up London's best afternoon teas in a city renowned for putting on some of the world’s best spreads – with tiny cakes, little finger sarnies and pots of perfect tea the name of the delicious game. Expect to pay in the region of £50 to £80 for the pleasure per person, but you'll be in for a treat and a half. Many of the teas have set times for seatings, so booking in advance is always recommended.

RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in London .

Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines .

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The best afternoon teas in London to book in 2024

1.  english garden afternoon tea at fortnum & mason.

• price 3 of 4

F&M’s elegant tea salon has been serving the good stuff since 1926. In a pastel-coloured dining room on the fourth floor of the iconic St James’s department store, this spacious spot excels in both sweet and savoury teas.  The D iamond Jubilee Tea Salon was named in honour of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 2012, and is currently hosting an  English Garden Afternoon Tea with  cakes and patisserie inspired by native British flora. Think r ose éclairs, chocolate and meadowsweet, ganache, rhubarb and vanilla mousse, and lemon and raspberry loaf .

2.  Afternoon tea at The Clink Restaurant at Brixton Prison

At bit different, this one. The Clink Charity is based at HMP Brixton and sees people in prison taught catering skills. Their restaurant is one of London's most rewarding and this summer is hosting afternoon teas on alternate Fridays. Sandwiches span prosciutto, basil pesto and rocket to smoked trout and chive crème fraiche on rye. Scones and cakes are designed to show what students have learned while studying for their NVQ level 2 in patisserie and confectionary, with raspberry and ruby chocolate éclair as well as a blackcurrant and coconut fruit bavarois. 

3.  Afternoon tea at the Palm Court at The Ritz

As Harrods is to shopping, so The Ritz is to hotels: a London icon and the perfect haven for out-of-towners who’ll revel in its bespoke traditions – right down to the formal dress code . The high-ceilinged Palm Court, where one takes tea, frames feminine pastels with gilt edging and chandeliers, while live entertainment comes from the house pianist, a harpist or string quintet. Come if you’ve got a sweet tooth: showstoppers here are the wonderful pastries, with previous offerings including a delectable rhubarb and custard choux and a nicely sharp lemon posset macaron. It's seasonal too, with  strawberries on on the menu in summer and pears in the winter.

4.  Caribbean afternoon tea at Rhythm Kitchen

• Walthamstow

Make your way to Walthamstow for a Caribbean take on afternoon tea with m ango glazed jerk chicken wings, as well as handmade spiced scones served with a selection of tasty jams and clotted cream. Dainty bubbles aren't how its done here - instead you'll be treated to a potent Wray & Nephew rum punch or slushie. Look out for regular special events too, such as paint-along afternoon teas, clay sculpting along with your scones and b lack women in business events with special guest speakers.

5.  La Merenda afternoon tea at The Petersham at Petersham Nurseries

• Covent Garden
• price 4 of 4

The Covent Garden outpost of the lush, floral Petersham Nurseries is hosting afternoon tea with an Italian twist. Inspired by the cafe culture Turin, the tea kicks off with teeny weeny tramezzini sandwiches on milk bread, filled with grilled zucchini and stracciatella, and tuna with avocado, basil and pine nuts. They're followed by puff pastry pizzette with asparagus, scamorza cheese, and wild garlic and lemon, or a more trad tomato, anchovies, capers and olives slice. Sweet treats are when the real magic happens: crostatina alla frutta pastry tarts with fruit, bigne al cioccolato puffs, pistachio tartlets, sweet coccoli, Neapolitan rum babà and mini cannoli.

6.  Afternoon tea at Great Scotland Yard Hotel

• Luxury hotels

Visit the Amalfi coast without the fuss by popping into Great Scotland Yard this summer for their latest afternoon tea offering. In collaboration with ye olde British fragrance house Floris, and inspired by their Bergamotto di Positano perfume, this Italian taster includes a f rittata di zucchine and  s tracciatella, smoked salmon and caviar bruschetta. Sweets come in the shape of s cones with clotted cream and orange jam, as well as almond and cocoa torta caprese cake from Capri’s iconic cake, and babà with orange blossom. Bellissimo! 

7.  Afternoon tea at The Wolseley

A self-proclaimed ‘café-restaurant in the grand European tradition’, the Wolseley combines London heritage and Viennese grandeur. Its daily afternoon tea is equally showy, with assorted finger sandwiches, fruit scones with homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream, as well as a selection of cakes. Tea veers from English breakfast through to assam, yunnan green tea, jasmine bud chocolate tea and lapsang souchong. You can add on champers, or, if you want a bargain afternoon; get a cream tea with fruit scones from under £20. You can get the same deal at The Wolseley City  across town.

8.  Byredo afternoon tea at Nobu Hotel Portman Square

Swing by the lounge of this swanky hotel in Marylebone this summer for a coming together of two very fancy brands – Nobu and fragrance house Byredo. The Byredo afternoon tea features a cake shaped like a bottle of their Mojave Ghost perfume (that tastes like magnolia and violet) as well as an apricot and tonka bean macaroon, sencha green tea basil cake and scones with raspberry mint jam, clotted cream and yuzu curd.

9.  La Vie en Rose afternoon tea at Pavyllon

Multi-Michelin starred chef Yannick Alléno is bringing Parisian-style afternoon tea to his acclaimed restaurant Pavyllon, which you'll find on the ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane until September 1, 2024. Expect seriously swanky eats, starting with leftfield  finger sandwiches such as an ebi sando with harissa and tomato, or a chicken caesar with bacon butter. Sweets come from  head pastry chef Gwenael Girad; strawberry and eucalyptus tart; verbena and vanilla baba; dark fruit pavlova; and Pimm’s style raspberries with chocolate and caramel. Ooh la la. 

10.  Afternoon tea at The Gallery at Sketch

• Contemporary European

As part of Sketch’s luxe Mayfair pleasuredome, the velvet-clad dandy-esque Gallery is a lesson in more-is-more eclecticism, a restaurant and exhibition space. Afternoon tea in this beautiful boudoir is something else – a gorgeous line-up of pretty delights ranging from a truffle croque, finger sandwiches and still-warm scones to Victoria sponge from the trolley and assorted petits’ gateaux. Think: pear and pomegranate cheesecake, quince and vanilla Battenberg as well as red fruit Victoria sponge from the trolley.  Don’t miss a trip to the cluster of egg-shaped toilets, where birdsong is piped into each pod.

11.  Breakfast at Audrey's afternoon tea at the National Portrait Gallery.

• Charing Cross Road

Audrey Hepburn started her glittering career just steps from the National Portrait Gallery, as a dancer at Ciro's nightclub on Orange Street. In tribute, the gallery has launched an afternoon tea that pays homage to her most famous film role, in 1961's Breakfast At Tiffany's . Taking place in subterranean on-site cocktail bar Larry's, sweets include a dark chocolate and passionfruit mousse purse, salted caramel sunglasses and a cheesecake jewellery box. Savouries are just as flash; hot smoked salmon with horseradish cream sandwiches and chicken caesar with macadamia as well as chorizo croquettes with saffron aioli and wagyu party pies. During the summer there's live jazz piano.

12.  Sri Lankan High Tea at Lyaness

• Cocktail bars

Famed cocktail mixer Ryan Chetiyawardana – aka   Mr Lyan – hosts Sri Lankan High Tea at his Lyness bar every  Saturday and Sunday. It's a celebration of high tea in his parent’s hometown of Galle o n the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, and kicks off with a c urry leaf Champagne  cocktail and c hicken kukul mas and coconut , m asala spiced tuna  with  mayonnaise , and m arinated aubergine  and b rinjal butter finger sandwiches.  Then there's m utton croquette   with   tomato sambal, t urmeric devilled eggs and a  c oconut flower daiquiris, followed by pandan swiss roll and many more majestic flavours. 

13.  Flower Fairies Afternoon Tea at Grosvenor House

Inspired by Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies books of the 1920s and 1930s, this afternoon tea brings a little bit of magic to London's post-lunch pastry scene. Pastry chef Anthony Hurst has done the mystical beings proud, with a selection of sweets that include a brownie in a toadstool throne, lemon cake in a white chocolate shell with blueberry, and a vanilla and hazelnut sponge book. Savouries include brioche buns of smoked chicken and smoked salmon. Served daily in the hotel's Park Room – with views of Hyde Park – the tea runs from May 13 2024 until mid-November. 

14.  Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Ten Trinity Square

• price 2 of 4

Inspired by the treasures on display at the neighbouring Tower of London and served under the eye-catching domed roof of the hotel’s plush, crimson-and-white-hued Rotunda Bar, Ten Trinity’s crown jewels-themed afternoon tea melds two of those most British of concepts – monarchy and finger sandwiches – into a serene, decadent and pleasingly traditional affair that no doubt proves extremely popular with tourists stopping by after checking out the bling next door. Guests can start with an optional glass of champagne or sparkling tea, before choosing from a menu of fifteen teas to enjoy as they listen to a mellow soundtrack of live jazz piano. An immaculately-executed selection of classic finger sandwiches – among them minted cucumber, coronation chicken, and a particularly good truffled egg mayo on brioche – is followed by warm scones served with generous helpings of the usual accoutrements. And then the grand finale; a plate of the most regal pastries you ever laid eyes on, at the centre of which sits a crown crafted from yuzu, Japanese sponge and mouth-puckering Yorkshire rhubarb. An afternoon tea most definitely fit for a king.

15.  Afternoon Tea at The Orchid Lounge at Pan Pacific London

It may be one of the newer contenders in London's afternoon tea scene, but 'exquisite' doesn't feel like too strong a word for Pan Pacific Hotel's offering. Its ultra-modern Orchid Lounge is the backdrop for a jewel-bright, intricate collection of delicacies, presented on mirrored plates and framed in a bird cage. There are two options for savouries: choose from a typically English array of intensely flavoured little sandwiches, or pick the Singaporean selection of freshly steamed dumplings for an east Asian take on teatime tradition. Then come the scones, which are engagingly light and crumbly - but if your appetite is already flagging, save your efforts for the tea's centrepiece, the patisserie selection. These miniature cakes are so frivolously stylish you could probably wear them on your head to Ascot, but dig in and you'll be rewarded with intense, delicate bursts of flavour. Wash them down with selections from the ever-changing line-up of loose leaf teas, both arcane and traditional.

16.  Jurassic afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel

• Boutique hotels
• South Kensington

Many London hotels offer kids’ variants on afternoon tea, but the Ampersand in South Kensington actively specialises in it, with its two restaurants each having a different tea theme: Science upstairs in The Drawing Room, Jurassic downstairs in Apero. It is, to be clear, not hard to sell an afternoon tea to a child – you had them at the word ‘cake’. But the Ampersand offers a relentlessly fun experience that should hold even the most raddled of attention spans: the Jurassic tea starts with a customisable hot chocolate, moves on to the waiter theatrically filling your artificial volcano with dry ice and ends with a little box of biscuit crumbs from which you can ’excavate’ chocolate dinosaurs. They are cute, thoughtful and fun, and obviously the real secret of the Amperand’s appeal is that it’s less than five minutes’ walk from the Natural History Museum and Science Museum.

17.  Regency Afternoon Tea at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the grande dame of London theatres, with a site that has been in constant use as a playhouse since the 1600s. Enter t he Grand Saloon and you'll find a tea fit for royalty, whipped up by celebrity baker  Lily Vanilli aka the queen of east London's cake scene. Sit under spectacular chandeliers and scoff mini crumpets topped with Earl Grey-infused cream cheese and a savoury madeleine with whipped feta and pickled carrot. Fruit scones, vanilla cake filled with passionfruit and buttercream, topped by a handmade chocolate cupid, mini sticky toffee pudding and a strawberry ice cream sandwich provide the sweeter side of tea. Bliss. 

18.  Afternoon tea at The Tea House

Looking for a more wallet-friendly afternoon tea? Then The Tea House  at Bishop's Park in Fulham offers one of London's best value options. At just £19 a head for a minimum of two people, you'll get a three tier tea, with finger sarnies, fresh baked scones and mini cakes a-plenty, as well as a selection of tea and coffee. Sandwiches include cheddar and rhubarb jam, egg mayo and pea shoots and smoked salmon and dill cream cheese. There's also the added bonus of the setting; a super cute and historic cafe in one of the city's cutest parks. They also shot scenes from The Omen here, but maybe don't tell the kids that. 

19.  Seven Chakra Afternoon Tea at The Mandrake

Yopo, the all-day restaurant at Fitzrovia’s Mandrake Hotel, is where you'll find the somewhat woo-woo Seven Chakra Afternoon Tea, complete with Kate Moss's very own Cosmoss brand as part of the experience. Will you leave feeling like a supermodel? Probably not, but that's largely becauase there's plenty of lovely cake to chow down on while your nourish your chakras with seven different soul-enriching tea and snack pairings. With yellowtail tostada, a blue cheese tart, blueberry and lemon confit financier and a spiced blackberry and apple choux bun on offer, even if your spirit doesn't thank you, your belly will. 

20.  Bicentenary Afternoon Tea at Ochre at the National Gallery

• Trafalgar Square

A restaurant in a gallery is, of course, going to offer you a masterpiece of a meal. The tea at Ochre is inspired by the National Gallery's 200th anniversary year,   and is something of a culinary work of art itself.  Head pastry chef  Rebecca Morrison 's afternoon offering includes a p late of macaroons; blueberry, coffee, pistachio and raspberry, as well as a bicentenary birthday cake and lemon choux.  Finger sandwiches are e gg mayonnaise, h am and tomato with mustard mayo, smoked salmon with dill crème fraîche and c ucumber with cornish butter and sea salt.  A masterpiece!

21.  Afternoon Tea at Shangri-La at The Shard

• London Bridge

Hosted in TĪNG on the 35th floor of The Shard, Afternoon tea at the Shangri-La comes with a view – a helluva good view – and you’d be forgiven for handing over your £78 for that alone. But that’s not the only reason to book yourself in here. The experience kicks off with a neat set of sandwiches – classic fillings but delightfully light, so you won’t feel guilty for ordering a second helping – followed by a couple of savoury bites and some crumbly scones. Then we’re onto the main event: a platter of cakes so delicate you’ll think twice before laying into them, and a miniature Shard crafted out of chocolate that sits on a swirling bed of dry ice straight out of Eurovision. This was part of the Bees in Bloom menu – Shangri-La’s celebration of spring – but you’ll be in for a treat whatever time of year you visit. Just ask for a window seat and keep your fingers crossed for clear skies.

22.  Afternoon Tea at NoMad London

Boasting a lush atrium, where plants pile towards a soaring glass ceiling, the NoMad is the perfect setting for a bit of afternoon whimsy.  Waiting staff seem formal but friendly, befitting the environment – the NoMad is classy, but still distinctly cool without the stuffiness of some other afternoon tea establishments. In fact, we are encouraged to order Negroni after Negroni (made with Honeybush tea, part of their delightful tea-inspired cocktail menu) which is the kind of enabling we like to see.  The afternoon tea itself plays homage to the NoMad’s New York roots – mini lox bagels and pastrami sandwiches, as well as classics like egg mayonnaise, elevated with the always-welcome addition of truffle. A decent selection of teas were offered, all from the Rare Tea Company – but we preferred the ones steeped in booze.

23.  Traditional Afternoon Tea at Thames Foyer, The Savoy

Under a lofty glass dome, the sumptuously traditional Thames Foyer plays host to sedate celebrating couples and excited groups having a grand day out in an unstuffy but top-drawer setting. A piano tinkles in the background as punters scarf down a classic selection of delicate finger and open sandwiches,  homemade scones with clotted cream, jam, and lemon curd, and a fine selection of pastries that looks like a tempting work of art.

24.  Art Afternoon Tea at the Mirror Room, Rosewood London

Or to give its full title 'Art Afternoon Tea: The John Booth Collection'. This whimsical tea is based on the work of multidisciplinary artist Booth, and reflects his playful, colourful approach. E xecutive pastry chef Mark Perkins has teamed up with Booth to create wacky, but not  too  wacky sandwiches, scones and teas. Cakes are inspired by Booth's experience as a twin and upbringing in Cumbria. Weird? A little. Delicious? Certainly.

25.  Elizabethan Royal Tea at InterContinental London Park Lane

This hotel stands on the site of what was 145 Piccadilly, the former childhood residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Pay tribute to the late Her Maj with the Elizabethan Royal Tea, which features cuppas from the classy East India Company in the fancy Wellington Lounge, as well as salmon & caviar, and coronation chicken sandwiches, before a syllabub pastry inspired by the first Queen Elizabeth. Find it every day, between 1–5pm. 

26.  Afternoon tea at the The Grill Room, Hotel Café Royal

The Grill Room is a sensational space, Grade II listed and gilded to the hilt. A favourite of Oscar Wilde and it's easy to see why. The afternoon tea is just as lavish, with live piano, champers and a high-end menu that kicks off with an amuse bouche of truffle gougère, truffle mousse, parmesan choux before rolling through roast beef and smoked salmon sarnies before a palate cleanser of blood orange sorbet with cocoa nibs crumble, then fresh scones and sweets such as buttermilk mousse with rhubarb confit and pistachio praline with cocoa sablé. There's a veggie and vegan option, too. 

27.  Afternoon tea at the Foyer and Reading Room, Claridge’s

Flattering lighting, the scent of fresh roses, classical musicians in the corner: The Foyer at Claridge’s is a class act. This elegant art deco space is where chic A-listers and people with damn fine taste come to take tea. The pastries are decent, the just-baked scones even better (look out for the sensational Marco Polo ‘tea jelly’), but at Claridge’s, it’s the savouries that are the stars. Not only are the finger sandwiches moist, full-flavoured and unlimited, but there’s an ever-changing ‘special’ – perhaps peppered goat’s cheese with pumpkin and sage jalousie. Gracious, discreet service is a bonus.

28.  Afternoon tea at The Tea House at Bread Ahead

When you walk into Bread Ahead Bakery on Pavilion Road, you’re met with the kind of chaotic buzz expected from a popular weekend bakery. But in the corner of this lively spot, behind the velvet rope and up the staircase, is a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Chelsea: The Tea House from Bread Ahead. Fortum & Mason teas are served alongside mini versions of Bread Ahead’s classic bridge roll sandwiches, and a silver tower of scones with clotted cream, jam and lemon curd, all made in-house. Finish off with some expertly baked pastries, including an Eton mess swiss roll, chocolate sponge and a pricot, almond & lemon thyme tart .

29.  Afternoon tea at The Adria

It’s only fitting that this superbly elegant South Ken hotel would serve an equally elegant afternoon tea. The dining room – which embodies the stylish boutiquey-ness of the rest of the building – makes for a peaceful spot for sipping on tea (or champagne) and sampling lighter-than-air but flavourful sandwiches and delicious earl grey scones. Once you’ve taken a seat, you’ll be given a wooden menu containing samples of all the Newby teas on offer, so you can see (and smell) whatever you’d like to drink. We went with Silver Needle to go with our savouries and Jasmine with our sweets. It’s certainly a place to come for a treat – the standard, fizz-less tea offering starts at £55, and with a glass of Lanson it’s £65 – but for that price you get some genuinely lovely food and attentive, thoughtful service.

30.  Afternoon tea at Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill

This glorious grande dame of the capital’s restaurant scene – it was established way back in 1916 – offers afternoon tea with, of course, oysters. Start your sophisticated sesh with a glass of champers and then knock back Jersey rocks with a sweet Vietnamese dressing. Sandwiches are similarly fishy; smoked salmon and horseradish, pickled cucumber and seaweed cream, crab and mayo. There are the requisite scones and a hearty array of patisseries and desserts, including a scrumptious craquelin choux bun with tart raspberry compote and lemon curd. 

31.  Art’otel afternoon tea at Joia Bar

Given it has views over Battersea Power Station you'd be forgiven for thinking Joia, the  Portuguese restaurant  found inside Art'otel, wouldn't need to work so hard to bring in the punters for its afternoon tea. But the fluffy scones, deserts such as pear and almond choux bun with passion fruit crémeux and refill friendly sandwiches (from smoked salmon, cucumber and dill to cream to salted beef and horseradish) go toe-to-toe with those famous chimneys. Staff are attentive, the tea selection extensive and there's even a multi-port charging station at the host desk so there's no risk of missing your champagne-flute-in-front-of-a-Grade-II-listed-building money shot.

32.  SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

Cucumber sandwiches aren’t for everyone, we’ll give you that. In the lovely, leafy confines of Sushisamba’s Covent Garden restaurant, you can eschew the traditional fare and tuck into wagyu katsu sliders, crispy lobster taquitos and gunkan sushi. Start at the bottom of the tower for savoury, and make your way up to the sweet stuff (the light, fluffy chocolate puffs are a highlight). As you’d expect, it’s all a suitably lavish affair, finished off with a massive selection of teas and warm, crumbly scones for the purists.

33.  A Taste of Balthazar at Balthazar

One of the most impressive dining rooms in central London, Balthazar is the perfect Manhattan interpretation of a French brasserie; all extremely high ceilings, burnished mirrors and terrific tiling. Their afternoon tea is similarly  Parisian with a New York twist. Alongside dainty dressed crab and tarragon chicken sandwiches with truffle mayo you'll find a mini hamburger. The five mini desserts are exceptional; a  Paris Brest, gateau opera, crème brûlée, apple tart and macaron. There's also a zingy French 75 cocktail and Champagne in the mix.

34.  Afternoon tea at Flemings Mayfair Hotel

Glistening with mirrors, gilt and peacock-blue velvet, Flemings is a little gem of an afternoon tea spot. This Mayfair boutique hotel's intimate drawing room offers a quiet place to swap gossip over a menu that places almost as much emphasis on the tea as the dainty treats that accompany it. The theme changes each season: on our visit, the floral-themed menu offered soothing lavender white tea and marmalade-esque orange blossom oolong alongside feather-light scones, finger sandwiches, and appropriately delicate patisserie.

35.  Afternoon tea at Gatsby’s Room at The Beaumont

Get the best of both sides of the pond at this British-American transatlantic mash-up American tea. Featuring a  delectable array of homemade finger sandwiches (Reuben salt beef, oak smoked lox and devilled egg) and sweet trates like salt water taffy, vanilla pudding and yuzu cream pie, as well as freshly baked scones. The best bit? Live piano performance while you eat.

36.  Wicked afternoon tea at The Clermont, Victoria

Go green with afternoon tea at The Clermont, which leans into its close proximity to the long-running musical Wicked by creating an afternoon tea in homage to the Wizard of Oz spin-off. Start with fancies such as a chocolate & pistachio bombe and a lime cheesecake before scones and classic cucumber and egg mayo sandwiches. If you're on the booze then a Wicked is made with Hendrick’s gin, kiwi puree, cucumber syrup, and sparkling wine, while a Good comes with Chambord as well as raspberry and strawberry liqueurs. It's also available at The Clermont Charing Cross. 

37.  Afternoon tea at The Promenade, The Dorchester

Afternoon tea at The Dorchester is a dark horse. The Promenade looks every bit the foyer of a Park Lane hotel: sumptuous, with heavy drapes, plush carpets and marble columns. Dig deeper and you’ll see it’s a breath of fresh air: staff wear tailcoats but are charming and approachable; the crowd comprises sartorially slick Londoners; and best of all, the piano player’s tinkle-list covers all bases . Unlimited finger sandwiches are terrific and elevated by interesting breads, such as caraway seed or walnut, as are pitch-perfect pastries: the moist Battenberg, wrapped in homemade marzipan, is not one we will easily forget. 

38.  Afternoon tea at The Bar & Lounge at The Goring

S erved in the gilded lounge of the regal Goring hotel, this is the Grace Kelly of afternoon teas.  Smart casual is the official line outfit-wise, but this is a spread you’ll want to get dressed up for. The sandwiches, in particular, are faultless: perfect little crustless soldiers made fresh to order. Scones (plain or fruity) come tucked up in a napkin nest to keep them toasty warm. The best bit? You’ll be offered refills without having to ask for them.

39.  Indian High Chai at Lalit London

The jaw-dropping splendour of huge hand-crafted cobalt-blue chandeliers gives this former grammar school Great Hall a real impact – so bag a table on the wraparound mezzanine gallery to truly appreciate the vibe. There’s artistry – and fun – in the Indian High Chai too, which is based on the subcontinent’s street food and includes such delicacies as kathi rolls, feather-light samosas with tamarind chutney and bowls of bhel puri studded with pomegranate seeds. Portions are manageable, so you should have room to sample the halwa, barfi and other gorgeous Indian sweets – assuming you haven’t knocked back too much of the milky masala chai. Enthusiastic waiters are only too eager to top up your painted glass.

40.  Afternoon tea in the Palm Court at The Langham

Chef Michel Roux Jr and Executive Pastry Chef Andrew Gravett have come together to create a menu inspired by the nation's favourite biscuits and baked tarts.  The spread is based on the best seasonal produce, so expect a calendar-tuned line-up of speciality sandwiches, home-baked scones, cakes and pastries, all served on Wedgwood china. All paired with a  selection of JING teas and English sparkling wine from Gusbourne.

41.  Parisian afternoon tea at Salon de Thé, Mariage Fréres

A two-storey French teahouse in the heart of Covent Garden, the Parisian afternoon tea takes place at the lavish Salon de Thé and offers up over 1,000 aromatic varieties of the hot stuff. The food is fittingly French but with a Covent Garden twist. Expect  classic scones and smoked salmon sandwiches infused with Paris Marais tea. 

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The Best Places for Afternoon Tea in London

It was in 1840 that the Duchess of Bedford shared her guilty secret of enjoying tea and snacks a few hours before dinner, setting a trend that would evolve to become a national tradition complete with a new set of afternoon tea etiquette rules. Today, afternoon tea in London enjoys celebratory status. Flutes of Champagne and pretty pastries are a given, while exotic nibbles and potent cocktails mean that what now constitutes this most genteel of refreshments might well shock the Duchess of Bedford. We’ve sat down to countless cups of tea, finger sandwiches, scones and macarons to bring you our editors’ reviews of the best afternoon teas in London–from the traditional spreads to the modern interpretations that roll on into evening drinks.

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

What is the best time for afternoon tea in London?

While traditionalists are more inclined to aim for a 3pm or 4pm sitting, some high teas in London are so extensive (think multi-course platters and unlimited sandwiches) that lunch can be skipped altogether, and a 12pm or 1pm booking is just fine.

Here's our pick of the best afternoon tea in London

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason

Dressed in trademark eau-de-nil, right down to the tea plates, Fortnum & Mason's Tea Salon is a peaceful oasis (accessed in a lovely wood-paneled lift) off Piccadilly. An oasis of tea and cake! It seems as if it hasn't changed in decades, in a wonderfully old-world way, but in fact was refurbished and subsequently reopened by the Queen in 2012. It remains a traditional affair and, located on the fourth floor of the iconic Fortnum & Mason shop (where London afternoon teas have been served for almost 100 years), it's a delightful place to while away an afternoon.

And who knew there were so many different types of tea? If Willy Wonka ever swapped chocolate for tea, the menu might resemble that at the Tea Salon, listing around 45 fantastically-named infusions like Jasmine Dragon Pearls, Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, and Hattialli, which takes its name from the Assamese words 'Hathi Alli', meaning 'Elephant Road'. Terrifically knowledgeable 'Tearistas' are on hand to help narrow down the choice.

Soft, warm scones are served with lashings of Somerset clotted cream and the most delicious raspberry, strawberry and wild blueberry jams which left us scraping the bottom of the jar. (Luckily, these can be bought in the shop downstairs.) The cake carriage is a feast for the eyes, with mini chocolate-mousse tarts and melt-in-your-mouth salted-caramel choux pastries. Finger sandwiches make a welcome savory intervention from the sweet treats.

Address: 4th Floor, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER Price from: £70, or approximately $87

Afternoon tea at The Dorchester

Everything at The Dorchester is scaled up. There are bouquets the size of hot-air balloons in the lobby, quilted-brocade sofas dwarf the loftiest of guests and marble-effect pillars tower over tables in the Promenade, where afternoon tea is served. While the surroundings can make you feel rather small and insignificant, the discreetly charming staff have the opposite effect–you are treated like the server’s most important (and better yet, favorite) guests.

Inevitably, there is an element of performance that accompanies the service at a hotel like The Dorchester. Between the savory and sweet courses you are presented with a palate-cleansing green tea, with lily and jasmine wrapped in silver needles and infused with mango. As the maître d' explained with a smile and a sweep of his arm, ‘There is a theatre to it! This is the stage'. In the first act, sandwiches with fillings such as chicken with ginger, lime, garlic, mayonnaise, and shallots or poached wild salmon with heritage tomatoes tread the boards on meticulously cut rectangles of white, multigrain, and wholemeal bread. Creative vegetarian understudies include an indulgent truffle tofu with vegan mayonnaise, but the salt-crusted golden-beetroot sandwich was the surprising scene-stealer, and the volume of food matched the oversized decor.

In all its grandeur, the Promenade is sink-into-the-cushions comfortable too; those Chesterfields are ever so inviting, and the high-ceilinged ballroom-sized space is designed so that every table is positioned to prioritize privacy. If afternoon tea is the matinée performance, you might find yourself tempted to stick around for the late show too; as the pianist rolls out a gentle medley on the Steinway grand piano by the bar, it’s all too easy to let tea turn into evening drinks.— Anna Prendergast

Address : 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA Price from: £75, or approximately $94

Note: whilst the team may not have tried all of the limited-edition coronation afternoon teas in London listed below, they are special events laid on by some of our favorite establishments across the capital.

Coronation Afternoon Tea at Cellarium, Westminster Abbey

Wherever you are spending the coronation weekend , Westminster Abbey is ensuring no one misses out on the quintessentially British occasion. Cellarium, the sun-drenched café accessed through the Abbey’s stunning mediaeval cloisters, has a coronation afternoon tea available from March until the end of July. Treats are in keeping with King Charles’ passion for sustainability, utilizing fresh British ingredients wherever possible. Expect sandwiches loaded with smoked chicken, apple, and celeriac slaw and Old Cotswold Legbar egg mayonnaise, before Earl Grey scones smothered in Cornish clotted cream and Tiptree jam alongside a colorful selection of cakes and tarts.

Address: Cellarium Cafe and Terrace, Westminster Abbey, Dean's Yard, The Sanctuary, London SW1P 3PA Dates: Thursday, March 23 – Monday, July 31

The Rosebery Coronation Afternoon Tea, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London

The Rosebery's limited-edition afternoon tea is inspired by the best of British heritage and ingredients–many of which are served at the royal table. The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and Highgrove have teamed up to create the ultimate indulgent spread; expect Clarence Court egg truffle sandwiches, King's coronation chicken and a preserve made from Highgrove's juicy organic strawberries. Quench your thirst with pots of Earl Grey and English breakfast tea, or explore the caffeinated (and decaffeinated) possibilities over pours of moonlight white tea and mango black tea.

Address: The Rosebery, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA London, United Kingdom Price: £95, or approximately $120, per person Dates: Monday April 17 – Sunday, May 14

Afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel

The Royal Family make no secret of their affection for The Goring Hotel. It’s where the Duchess of Cambridge spent the night before her wedding; where the Queen holds her annual staff Christmas lunch, and the only hotel in the world to hold a royal warrant. Tucked away on an unassuming side street in Belgravia, there are even rumors of a secret tunnel linking the hotel to Buckingham Palace, so the Queen and co can slip in unnoticed. And what makes the place extra special is its private garden out back–almost unheard of in central London–where you can enjoy your tea in good weather before working it off with a game of croquet. It’s an institution about as British as it gets.

Pre-book your afternoon tea to guarantee seating in the hushed, old-school gilded dining room, decked out with thick gold curtains, whimsical tree-like Swarovski chandeliers and a roaring fire in the winter. The hotel has been owned by the same family since opening in 1910, and they take their roles seriously: CEO Jeremy Goring himself is the in-house master of tea, personally selecting and tasting each blend on the menu. Start with The Goring’s own afternoon blend, a refreshing and subtle mix of Assam and Darjeeling, before navigating your way through some of the more ambitious-sounding options (such as dragon well or organic maojian) or herbal infusions.

Before the carbs, a plate of strawberries arrives – which goes perfectly with the glass of pink Bollinger poured at the table from a huge magnum. After a dainty amuse-bouche of butternut squash and savory granola come unfussy, crustless finger sandwiches filled with smoked salmon, pastrami or cheese and pickle. But don’t fill up on these because it’s the cakes that steal the show: a white-chocolate bomb cracked open to reveal a fluffy apple mousse, a dense tarte tatin piped with mini cones of pink meringue and a choux bun oozing with caramelly crème pâtissière. Then layer up your scones with The Goring’s own homemade jam, filled with strawberries and raspberries foraged from their farm in Suffolk. Come hungry–everything’s swiftly replenished the moment there’s space on the plate – but staff are more than happy to pack you off with a doggy bag if you’ve overdone it. And it’s worth knowing that the tea can be made totally gluten-free, too.

Address: 15 Beeston Place, London, SW1W 0JW Website: thegoring.com Price: From £60, or approximately $75, per person

Coronation Afternoon Tea, The Goring Hotel

Soak up the sunshine and enjoy a themed afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel ahead of the ceremony on Saturday 6 May. On the elegant sun-kissed veranda away from the hustle and bustle of the capital's streets nearby, the high tea is enjoyed overlooking the manicured Goring Garden, where some of the late Queen's favorite plants and flowers erupt out of the soil. King Charles' favorite treats feature on the limited-edition menu including sandwiches filled with ingredients from Royal Warrant suppliers like Dukeshill Ham. Whichever order you opt for, coat warm scones in clotted cream, strawberry and elderflower jam. Alternatively, head chef Graham Squire has crafted an exquisite menu available as a la carte and a six course tasting menu–catch it over the first week of May only.

Address:  The Goring Hotel, 15 Beeston Place, London SW1W 0JW Website:   thegoring.com Price: £75, or approximately $94, per person with a glass of Bollinger Champagne Dates: Monday, April 24 – Sunday, May 28

The Royal Afternoon Tea, Covent Garden Hotel

Covent Garden Hotel ’s coronation afternoon tea is one of the best ways to get ahead, or continue, the historic celebrations in the capital this summer. So tuck into coronation chicken sandwiches, strawberry tarts, lemon crémeux, and coat warm scones in classic condiments. Bar manager Flavio Carvalho has devised a cocktail fit for the occasion; inspired by the King’s love of whisky and Darjeeling, the spirit is mixed with Cointreau, lemon, and English sparkling wine.

Address: Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9HB Price: From £40, or approximately $50, per person Dates: Until Thursday, August 31

Coronation Regency Afternoon Tea, The Lane

Who better to curate an afternoon tea spread fit for a new King than dessert doyenne Lily Vanilli? Theatre Royal Drury Lane , the only theatre in the world still operating under a royal charter, has got the culinary creator on board in time for a refreshed coronation menu. Expect all the usual trimmings, such as warm scones served with cream, homemade jams and salted whipped butter, alongside savory bites like dainty finger sandwiches. The cakes steal the spotlight, however, topped with gold crowns and edible royal homages. Rare Tea Company’s brews are perfect for cleansing the palate–as is the Champagne for an extra-indulgent afternoon. Afterwards, walk off the sugar rush on a daily guided tour; these run daily (apart from Tuesdays) and are priced at £22.50 (around $28) per person.

Address: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JF Price: From £59, or approximately $75, per person Dates: Until Wednesday, May 10

Afternoon tea at The Coral Room, The Bloomsbury Hotel

There’s no need to guess where The Bloomsury Hotel's Coral Room gets its name from, with the space painted the color from head to toe. Bevelled mirrors and gold-framed illustrations hang on the tall walls; huge chandeliers cascade above the seating area and marble-topped bar. Choose to sit by the roaring fire or under one of the bay windows that flood nearby tables with light.

Are you sitting comfortably on your blue-velvet or patterned-fabric chair? Begin by selecting your drink. There are unlimited refills on dozens of brews–including iced coffee, matcha and turmeric lattes, jasmine silver tip and lemon verbena tea – all served in sturdy silverware and poured into gold-rimmed (obviously), grey- and white-striped fine china. You’ll soon notice that the crockery’s color scheme precisely matches the Art Deco interiors.

Dive into the sandwiches on the stand’s bottom tier; the Guinness bread variety is a standout, filled with smoked salmon and lemon crème fraîche. Next up are four warm vanilla scones – it wouldn’t be afternoon tea without them. Cut each one in half and lather on the clotted cream before–always before–the fresh raspberry jam. At the top of the stand are miniature creations so elegant you’ll feel guilty for demolishing them so quickly. The bright yellow mango-and-coriander tart with pink peppercorn meringue instantly catches the eye, while the rich chocolate mousse sprinkled with cashew praline and prune compote lingers on the tongue. And, if you’re feeling particularly bold, the Coral Room will replenish your tier of choice for free. Still thirsty? As one of the best bars in London, there's no need to move to a second location–the cocktails here are a knockout.– Sophie Knight

Address: 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN Price from: £40, or approximately $50, per person.

Afternoon tea at the Corinthia

The Corinthia ’s light-flooded Crystal Moon Lounge is a grand setting for the hotel’s recently relaunched afternoon tea, which is all about choice. Huge displays of treats are wheeled around on silver gilded trolleys so that guests can make their own selection, or indeed, choose to indulge in them all. The tea has its own dedicated station manned by a sommelier who will weigh and infuse your selected brew to achieve the best possible flavor. The No.2 Mellow bespoke blend is a medium-strength, fruity refreshment. For something lighter, the China Milky Oolong is delicate and one of those rare finds that tastes as fragrant as it smells.

The experience doesn’t fall short when it comes to the food either. Sandwiches are served with flavor twists such as egg mayo and truffle, more of which you’ll seriously consider forgoing the cakes for, and a tandoori take on coronation chicken. Scones arrive like prized possessions in their own wooden box, with clotted cream and a surprisingly savory rhubarb and tonka bean jam. Just be sure to save room for the French canelé –a celebration of soft doughy cake with a chewy, caramel crust originating from the pastry chef’s home town of Bordeaux .

This isn’t a place to come in a hurry. Service is relaxed with a measured pace. Sit back in among the fashionable young things taking a break from sightseeing, and then cross the river and walk it off with a stroll along the South Bank.– Olivia Holborow

Address: 10 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD Price from: £65, or approximately $80 per person.

St James’s Afternoon Tea at The Stafford

The Stafford London’s afternoon tea follows an edible journey through the streets surrounding this classic hotel, built in 1912. Served in The Game Bird, a room that marries duck-egg walls with shiny, plush velvet sofas and where gilded columns complement the grand bouquets of yellow flowers. The tea kicks off with the classics: three sandwiches–fresh cucumber and cream cheese, honey-roast Wiltshire ham and mustard, and smoked salmon–all finger-sized and joyously resembling those of your childhood. Next up are wedges of flaky, buttery sausage rolls and a creamy truffled-egg and watercress brioche bun–not for the faint hearted, but worth every bite. For the sweet offering, the scones are anything but simple. They’re fluffy, powdery and squishy, served with classic clotted cream and strawberry jam. But there’s also a cheddar version that comes with airy, whipped soft cheese and chives for spreading.

It’s on the final tier, though, that the nod to the surrounding institutions comes into play. Almond shortbread, dressed in a Henry Poole and Co tuxedo, and a top hat made with white chocolate and lime jelly, inspired by Lock and Co Hatters – the world’s oldest hat shop, are both fun and quirky eats. Shoemakers Foster and Son get a white-chocolate shoe horn and polish tin filled with a seasonal fruit trifle topped with Chantilly cream, while cigar aficionados James J Fox have a chocolate-and-hazelnut cigar tribute that comes in a smoky case. If a Savile Row suit is a little out of your budget, how about an edible version at this afternoon tea?— Katharine Sohn

Address : 16-18 St James's Pl, St. James's, London SW1A 1NJ Price from : £45, or approximately $56, per person

Prêt-à-portea at The Berkeley

The Berkeley's afternoon tea offering gets the award for the most fashionable in London. The crowd here is of the well-heeled variety–I lost count of the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi heels I saw. It’s not a coincidence either–Prêt-à-portea has been drawing fashion fans for years now with its edible edit of the hottest ready-to-wear shows.

Each season, Head Pastry Chef Mourad Khia, has the dream job of taking inspiration from the latest runway shows and recreating them in sweet form. Khia teams his incredible eye for patterns, sculptural shapes and signature items, with his talent for innovative textures and flavors. The six-month revolving menu inevitably ends up as a greatest hits of the latest fashion trends, featuring accessories or motifs from all the top designers – Gucci, Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Schiaparelli–served in delicious and dainty edible treats. In previous years some of fashion’s great icons have also been served, most famously Anna Wintour, complete with signature bob and sunglasses, in biscuit form. Just to see these edible works of art is a treat in itself, to eat them is a delicious adventure.

If you’re a traditionalist, be warned that while there are the usual canapés and sandwiches, there’s not a scone to be found. Tea is taken seriously though, with a page on the menu dedicated to the scientific process of how The Berkeley makes its tea. Champagne is also on offer, plus a seasonal and refreshing mocktail. But really this one is all about fashion, both in person and on the plate.— Lauren Burvill

Address: Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL Price from : £80, or approximately $100, per person

Afternoon tea at Dean Street Townhouse

There’s a particularly lovely, old-world glow that whooshes around you when you enter Dean Street Townhouse . Perhaps it’s the leaded windows that make the room seem like a throwback to Dickensian London, or the single candles flickering in Wee Willie Winkie-style brass holders on every table, or the clink-clink-clink of silver on china. Or perhaps, more than all this, it’s the notion that you’ve ducked out of the humdrum for a while; afternoon tea here feels comforting and fun, like you’re joining the others living it up in Soho at 4pm on a Tuesday.

Tea is served in the lounge, with its handsome velvet arm chairs in sage green and ketchup red, jade-painted wooden panelling, jazz soundtrack and curated art–the collection in Dean Street includes pieces by Tracey Emin, Peter Blake, Fiona Banner and Mat Collishaw, alongside a number of emerging artists such as illustrator Dan Hillier. The Collet Brut Champagne (if you’re boozing) comes in a cut-glass coupe, the tea–of which there are 10 varieties from lapsang souchong to rooibos–in black-and-white floral-print Burleigh Pottery (a special commission for the Soho House group). The scones are fluffy, the Burford Brown-egg-and-mayonnaise sandwiches dainty and the cakes brilliantly retro: chocolate Swiss roll, mini Victoria sponges with strawberries and cream, Battenberg in hot pink and egg-yolk yellow, tooth-rasping lemon tart with a blueberry on top.

But most delicious of all is the laid-back atmosphere. Around you are thirty-something couples sharing bottles of rosé, media types getting creative over cappuccinos, and groups of friends pondering another round of G&Ts. Come for afternoon tea in the lounge, move on to a cocktail or two at the bar and maybe even make an evening of it by checking into the townhouse for the night. You are in Soho after all.

Address: 69-71 Dean St, London W1D 3SE Price from: £31, or approximately $38

Afternoon tea at The Connaught

Doormen in top hats stand sentinel by the ever-revolving doors of The Connaught , which deposit guests into the hallway of one of London’s smartest hotels. With its quiet elegance, sense of timelessness and British sensibility, there are few places quite like it. That said, the arrival of French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his international flair has relaxed the rules a little, doing away with formalities such as dress codes and allotted time slots.

The restaurant Jean-Georges at The Connaught was refurbished last year, and the new afternoon tea summer menu was launched in June this year. Gone is the overwhelming choice of 16 jams with your scones, which are now served simply with Cornish clotted cream, homemade preserve and lemon curd. Sandwiches are classic picnic favorites (coronation chicken, cucumber) and the patisserie stand displays the handiwork of pastry chef Nicolas Rouzaud, highlights of which include an irresistible chocolate fondue with seasonal fruit and a bite-sized pavlova. At first, we were disappointed to be served tea with tea bags (rather than loose leaf), but a conspiratorial waiter let us in on a secret; the Connaught kitchen hand-fills its own tea bags. They resemble tiny pillowcases and are made from Egyptian cotton, without plastic, glue or staples, for maximum freshness, flavor and sustainability. It turns out that most (likely more sophisticated) guests prefer not to pick tea leaves out of their teeth. If you like your tea strong enough to fuel rocket ships, ask for extra leaves – the staff will happily oblige. Try to get a table in the front section of the restaurant, where light filters through the stained-glass windows by Parisian artist Jean-Michel Othoniel and you get a great view of passers-by.— Anna Prendergast

Address : Jean George at The Connaught The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL Price from: £70, or approximately $90

Afternoon tea at St James's Hotel & Club

With its gold-lettered shop fronts, St James's is an easy place for a spot of time-traveling, to rewind to the Victorian age and go shopping for a badger-hair shaving brush, or a silver-topped walking cane or that velvet smoking hat you always wanted. Set behind a red-and-white gateau of Victorian neogothic, St James's Hotel & Club has the air of having residing here since Kipling was a nipper, but in fact has only been a hotel since 2008, although the club has been around since the 19th century. A sense of discretion wafts around the silk wallpaper and narrow corridors. William Drabble's the chef at the restaurant here, Seven Park Place, and his afternoon tea is inspired by the arrival of spring. And so the cakes here are based on nature, with refreshing fruits and floral-inspired delicacies. There is a raspberry and rose choux; lemon cake filled with lemon curd and mousse made to look like a bouquet; a ‘flower basket’ with chocolate crémeux and cherries; and a white chocolate and orange bavarois topped with an edible lily. Scones are also infused with lavender for that extra floral touch and sandwiches are kept classic–think egg mayonnaise, cream cheese and cucumber, and smoked salmon.

Tea is taken by the bar, an intimate, Deco-inspired space of gold and polished black lacquer, with large yellow vases, a wall of 20th-century oil paintings and an eyeful of mild Hungarian erotica from the 1940s. We like the salon here. It's small and tucked away. You won't find the coachload of gawpers that some other hotels get. There's a specially-created cocktail featuring limoncello, white vermouth, agave syrup, lemon juice prosecco foam and basil called Bee Mine.

Address: 7-8 Park Pl, St. James's, London SW1A 1LS Website : stjameshotelandclub.com Price: From £45, or approximately $56 per person

Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange

An offshoot of the Piccadilly original, this is Fortnum & Mason with a twist. The trademark eau de nil is there–on velvet seats and leather booths–but the majestic 16th-century setting in London’s financial district lends it an even grander air, as though tea sippers are members of an elite secret society.

The impressive stone-and-column façade of the Royal Exchange betrays the building’s trade roots. Boutiques sit beneath huge arches; the newest, a mini Fortnum’s, now takes up three shop fronts. At the centre of the wide courtyard is a giant almond-shaped bar, a glittering metal oasis ringed by mint-green stools, each pair lit with individual gold lamps. The bar is bookended by two small seating areas and it almost feels like you're outside, with light pooling through the glass ceiling.

Tea is, of course, the most important element of the Fortnum’s tradition, given that the brand has been producing its own (and, later, serving it) for about 300 years. But you won’t find its breakfast blend on the menu here; instead, opt for the Royal Exchange , a light Sri Lankan and Kenyan loose-leaf tea that represents this cool new base, or–better yet–Champagne.

Afternoon-tea stands are brought down a flight of stone steps from a faraway corner of the courtyard, almost ‘off stage’; as they are set down on the table, it’s clear this is the main event. First up are five simple finger sandwiches filled generously with egg and cress, honey-roasted ham and mustard, cucumber and mint cream cheese, coronation chicken and smoked salmon. Then soft, warm plain and fruit scones are accompanied by clotted cream, strawberry jam and lemon curd–Fortnum’s own, naturally.

The finale is a trio of patisserie cakes: a tangy red-velvet cube with cream-cheese layers, topped with a cherry-powder crumb and transparent droplets that could be mistaken for pomegranate seeds; a vanilla-cheesecake sphere in smooth white-chocolate casing that sits atop a delicate, buttery biscuit; and a choux bun filled with vanilla cream and adorned with pastel-pink icing and a rose petal.

While the afternoon tea was undeniably pleasant, it’s the historic surroundings that truly make the new Fortnum’s a worthwhile pit-stop. And despite the hushed, exclusive vibe this offering is brilliantly affordable. Make like the City crowd and stop here for a sweet reviver following an afternoon’s hard work, then browse the foodie delights in the enticing shop.— Leah Craig

Address : The Courtyard, The, Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LR Price from: £35, or approximately $44, per person

Afternoon tea at Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

Petersham Nurseries in Richmond has long been known for its beautiful garden centre and homeware shop stacked with artisan trinkets, as well as its fabulous little restaurant. Now, the team is plating up a Garden Afternoon tea, served in the Teahouse. Rustic furniture, distressed copper-topped tables and matching chairs are lit up by fairy lights strung from the glass ceiling and surrounded by thriving plants.

Afternoon tea doesn’t get prettier than this–the hand-picked wild bouquet takes centre stage at the top of the hand-blown-glass tiered stand, its seasonal blooms paired with the sweet and savory bites (which are also sprinkled with petals). Loose-leaf tea is served in a glass kettle that you’ll want for your own kitchen – the Giardino blend is as fresh as can be. We recommend splashing out and adding a glass of Petersham’s rose-petal prosecco.

It’s no surprise that this menu changes seasonally depending on what’s growing, keeping in line with the brand’s ethos of using responsibly sourced produce. There are always scones: here, they’re served with strawberry and prosecco jam and clotted cream. Five different savories mix British classics with an Italian influence – crispy sourdough with prosciutto and focaccia with burrata, nasturtiums and sunflower seeds were our favourites.

The stand’s top tier holds the coveted sweet treats: lemon polenta cake, meringue, raspberry and pistachio baci di dama and the standout cherry and almond tart. You’ll leave inspired to redecorate your home and garden. Sophie Knight

Address : Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AB Price from : £45, or approximately $56

Afternoon tea at Brown's Hotel

There are very few places that can reinvent the traditional afternoon tea and still make it feel as English as ever. But Brown’s does just that, with its modern take on tried-and-tested classics–and a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne for those wanting to make things a little more grown-up. It is served in a dedicated English Tea Room with snug armchairs and floral china; book in advance to bag one of the larger corner spots for extra privacy if you are looking to catch up over a scone (or three).

The tea menu is so large it is suitably labelled a library, but charming and informative staff are on hand to help with recommendations. The Jing Chai is particularly heady and the Silver Needle white tea wonderfully refreshing. There are also plenty of herbal infusions for those looking for an option without caffeine.

It’s not just hot tea that is the focus at Brown’s: a dainty glass of seasonal iced tea marks the start of the procession of miniature treats arriving at the table. The selection of open and closed sandwiches include Aberdeenshire smoked salmon with pickled fennel served on caper-buttered onion bread and a fancy ham number piled high with air-dried black Coombe ham.

The desserts are just as decadent–with the star of the show (the cassis and hibiscus macaroon) replenished many times before we were ready to move on. Scones come with or without raisins and are kept warm in a napkin envelope, served with generous helpings of clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam.

There’s also a tea-tox option featuring low-carb, low-fat snacks, including miso-glazed salmon, beetroot crêpe and matcha-raspberry cheesecake. But we can’t deny that the original full-fat spread was our preference. Just make sure you've finished trawling the nearby fashion boutiques before you take your seat.— Lottie Stanners

Address : Brown’s Hotel, Albermarle Street, London W1 Price from: £70, or approximately $90

Afternoon tea at Anya Café, Chelsea

Propped up on the corner of Pont street in the smart Kensington and Chelsea neighborhood as part of accessories designer Anya Hindmarch’s five neighboring stores, this is a quintessentially British affair filled with coffee, tea and cakes galore. Take a seat on the sunny roadside terrace–this is Hindmarch’s take on the old-school café. The focal point is the glass counter lined with show-stopping baked goods, from sponge cakes and handmade biscuits to chocolate truffles, piped beautifully with rich icing in a vibrant mix of colors for you to drool over. The staff are dressed to impress in their suited uniform, which makes it feel as if you’ve stepped into a Fifties, diner-style coffee bar.

Everything here has been carefully considered and gives a nod to the brand, with its comical edge and trademark humour shining through the cheeky but chic menu. There’s a goofy Monster Cake and bright-yellow, layered lemon Smile Cake, traditional iced buns and a vegan banana loaf inspired by one of Hindmarch’s friends–creations that will make your eyes pop and transport you back in time to feel like a hungry child again. But the stars of the show have to be the Chubby Heart, a rich, chocolatey mousse cake with fresh raspberries covered in glossy red, and the mocha Chubby Cloud, with coffee and chocolate ganache. Indulgent, simply delicious and reminiscent of the supremo’s previous designs.

Pair the sugary treats with an iced coffee or creamy cappuccino, or choose from a selection of tea infusions to create your own afternoon-tea experience. For added opulence, raise a glass of Esterlin Champagne or a classic Manhattan cocktail. The attention to detail is excellent here, with charismatic charm resonating through all the little touches, from the cakes and interiors to the adorably wrapped sugar cubes and mini biscuits shaped and decorated as first-class stamps. Grab a box of Tea Cakes or Anya’s Family Favorite biscuits to take away–the packaging is too cute to resist and they make the perfect gift (or snack to dive into on the journey home). Cordelia Aspinall

Address: 9 Pont St, London SW1X 9EH Price : £35, or approximately $44, per person

Afternoon tea at The Ritz London

Best for: old-school glitz

Tea at The Ritz. Is there a more archetypal English institution? The Ritz London sets the standard for afternoon tea. Tea is served in the hotel's original ballroom, deliciously grand and swimming in gold with a live pianist and soprano Miranda Heldt some weekday afternoons.

Tea-takers select from a list of 18 types, and can learn as much or as little about the teas as they wish from the friendly but reassuringly formal staff, who not only know the correct way to make tea (milk first, obviously), but have spent many months in Sri Lanka, tasting and experimenting to bring back the perfect blend.

On to the food itself, which, as you might expect, is proudly traditional. Sandwiches are fresh, crustless, finger-sized and not shy of a cucumber slice or two; and the scones are warm, gigantic and accompanied by strawberry jam and lashings of Cornish clotted cream. The top of your three-tiered stand is reserved for pastries, chocolate cake and fruit tarts, and whatever your party can't manage is boxed up for you to take home–along with a personalized cake, if your tea is in honor of a birthday.

There is a dress code (we would be disappointed if there wasn't): men must wear a jacket and tie, women have to appear at least smart-casual. Jeans and trainers will be confiscated on sight. With five sittings a day, from 11.30am to 7.30pm, The Ritz tea operation is extremely well-oiled, whilst managing not to rush diners – helped by the fact that the time you need to vacate your table is made clear when you book it. Becky Lucas

Address: 150 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9BR Price from: £67, or approximately $85, for adults

Teatime for Two, Le Deli Robuchon

Le Comptoir Robuchon , named for the late French chef Joël Robuchon who earned 32 Michelin stars at his restaurants across the world, and opened by former members of his team, is where those seeking smart French food in W1 end up. Now, the restaurant’s Parisian-inspired sister deli has put a Francophile twist on the traditional British tea. Sure, there are finger sandwiches–although even these are given a French flavor, as ham and cheese are made with Emmental, and there is an aubergine, burrata and olive tapenade option. Pastries come in the form of buttery madeleines and vanilla mille feuilles , and if you upgrade the staff will tuck a bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne in the hamper along with J Robuchon tea. The tea service is being delivered within a four-mile radius of the deli, but you need to pre-order with 24 hours’ notice–so plan ahead for this one. Sarah James

Address: 82 Piccadilly, London W1J 8JA Price from : £59, or approximately $75, per person

Afternoon tea at The Petersham, Covent Garden

Taken amid the elegant surroundings of The Petersham –a secret-garden hideaway and one of the best restaurants in Covent Garden–this is one of the prettiest afternoon teas in London. Blooms take pride of place here, even on the glass cake stand, which arrives flourished with a posy of wild flowers spilling out of a vase.

It’s also one of London’s tastiest afternoon teas. Savories come in the form of pillowy milk buns that are delicate enough to ensure the focus is firmly on the punchy seasonal fillings. Highlights from our visit included a generously fat wedge of salty Montgomery cheddar with spiced chutney, and a rich and buttery egg mayonnaise topped with a bright burst of theme-fitting edible flowers.

It’s almost worth skipping the scones (though they do come with a yummy Haye Farm strawberry jam) and moving straight to the cakes where traditional Italian treats steal the limelight. Crispy cannoli are filled with a pistachio cream and dipped in the darkest chocolate, and brutti ma buoni–perhaps best described as a sort of meringue/biscuit hybrid–are soft and chewy. And just as you think you’ve reached the end, a tray of freshly-baked bombolini, Italy’s answer to donuts, are whisked in front of you, dusted with sugar and stuffed with hot salted caramel.

There are thoughtful extra touches to be found on the drinks menu too. A selection of tea tails – botanical, tea-infused cocktails–make for a refreshing aperitif. We particularly enjoyed the gin paired with cardamom and rose, which was smooth with just the right hint of tartness. For those who prefer their tea more traditionally non-alcoholic, there’s a good selection with, appropriately, lots of floral-based options. Hibiscus and red berry is dark and fruity, while The Petersham’s own blend, is lightly perfumed and sweet. If the weather is kind, ask to sit in the courtyard surrounded by fluffy clouds of hydrangeas. It’s an afternoon of floral delight.— Olivia Holborow

Address : 2 Floral St, London WC2E 9FB Price from : £45, or approximately $56

Afternoon tea at the Royal Albert Hall

Not only is the Royal Albert Hall one of the world’s most famous performance venues; it’s also one of the UK’s most treasured buildings–and a thoroughly British institution. Queen Victoria had the red-and-gold domed auditorium built as an extravagant tribute to her husband Prince Albert, and in its almost 150-year history it has hosted some of the country’s most important cultural events, and both rock–and real–royalty. It’s put on some pretty big-deal tea parties too; the Queen clinked china here with the WI to mark their 100th anniversary. A fitting venue, then, for afternoon tea.

Don’t let the location on Museum Mile put you off: this London afternoon tea certainly isn’t just a tourist box-ticker. Anyone who’s always wanted a sneak peek through the hallowed doors can combine tea with a tour (and history lesson), as guests are guided around the auditorium, the gallery and the usually off-limits Royal Retiring Room before being greeted with three tiers of taste. Time your tea wisely, and you can even eavesdrop on rehearsals for the evening’s performance.

The tea itself takes place in the first-floor Verdi Restaurant–admittedly, it’s a lot less regal than the auditorium, but with crisp white tablecloths, a turquoise tiled bar and sweeping views of the Royal College of Music, it’s a step up from most museum cafés. Choose your brew from a carefully curated selection by the East India Company–there’s even a special 1871 blend, created exclusively for the Royal Albert Hall to mark its inauguration year. Dainty sandwiches come with properly British fillings (cucumber and cream cheese, honey-roasted ham and Coronation chicken), but it’s the cakes and miniature puddings, with their adorable musical decorative touches, that are the highlight.

There’s a violet macaroon topped with bright edible flowers, cupcakes with mini pipettes to inject a fruity filling, salted caramel slices and little lemon tartelettes. Scones stay cosseted in a thick napkin to keep warm, with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam. And once you’re high on sugar, there’s a cocktail list to work your way through too – even better if you’re one of the lucky ones in possession of a ticket and time to kill before the performance starts. Teddy Wolstenholme

Address : Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP Price from: £49, or approximately $60, per person

Afternoon tea at Ham Yard Hotel, Soho

Bang in the centre of busy Soho is the colorful Ham Yard Hotel from Tim and Kit Kemp, whose portfolio includes the splashy Whitby in New York. Although the 'yard' is a surprisingly quiet thoroughfare connecting Great Windmill Street and Denman Street, the hotel itself is lively, complete with rooftop garden, cinema and an original Fifties bowling alley imported from Texas.

The Orangery, home to the afternoon tea, is a gently lit glass-ceilinged room with designer Kit's oh-so-quirky-yet-tasteful stamp all over it. It is paved with reclaimed Purbeck stone and the walls are papered with Kemp’s signature bold textures; the tea itself is served in her contemporary ceramic range for Wedgwood–you'll find mythical creatures or sailors prancing around the gold rims on the delicate bone-china teacups and saucers.

The menu, which changes weekly, is a creative take on the traditional: classic cucumber sandwiches with a basil twist, beetroot-tartare tarts with cauliflower purée and Ortiz tuna, caper and spring-onion croutons. Special mention needs to go to the grilled-courgette and vegan rocket-pesto sandwich, which was delightful. Scones served with clotted cream and homemade jams are delivered straight from the oven, soft and warm. We suggest you skip the strawberry jam, and instead go for the irresistible home-made passionfruit and apricot version. And there are more sweet treats to accompany them than you are likely to manage: indulgent cappuccino macarons, a silky chocolate and mint mousse, an apple and redcurrant delice and a carrot cake served with redcurrant curd. The star of the show, however, has to be the creamy, fluffy pumpkin pie with spiced cream. We recommend you add a cocktail (the Hendrick’s, cucumber, elderflower and Prosecco concoction is our favorite) to accompany your Earl Grey. This is a more-than-stylish spot to sit and people-watch.— Karin Mueller

Address : 1 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT Prices from: £40, or approximately $50, per person

Afternoon tea at Roast

Going to Borough Market is always a treat, whether you’re planning to stock up on ingredients to assemble at home following the ‘prime produce needs little technique’ strategy or aiming to browse the fresh food, ranging from raclette to oysters on the shell. Even on a non-market day, it’s a lovely area for a wander, and for a pit-stop right in the heart of it, Roast is in a hard-to-beat, elevated location inside the Floral Hall. The name really says it all, and meat is what most people come here for. But afternoon tea is one of the most beloved things to do in London—and usually more affordable than à la carte–that the restaurant is now serving its own offering in the light-flooded space overlooking Stoney Street and the stalls below.

Kick things off with a glass of Ambriel Cuvée before the cake stand appears laden with a selection that doesn’t stray from the traditional but is perfectly executed – roast beef, smoked salmon, Coronation chicken, cucumber and cream-cheese, and tomato sandwiches – and very generously portioned: the top-tier cakes alone are the size of any regular coffee-shop slice. The Victoria sponge is the standout, with lots of cream and a proper hit of raspberry that’s less jam jar and more grandma’s garden, closely followed by a not-too-sweet sticky date pudding. The latter is served alongside a lemon-posset shot with crumbly biscuit topping on a separate plate – the overspill of the already crammed cake stand. There’s also carrot cake with candied carrot swirls, and scones that you may or may not be able to finish (we didn’t manage it, despite our best intentions). As for the tea, among the standard Earl Grey, Assam and mint are some more exotic options such as Pai Mu Tan and jasmine pearls.

It’s a lively place–on a bank-holiday afternoon there was animated chatter all around, and although the area where afternoon tea is served, just by the bar is slightly separated from the main dining space, it actually has the best seats in the house. Everyone was taking their time, enjoying the sunshine streaming in through the windows and heroically trying to finish those scones.— Katharina Hahn

Address: The Floral Hall, Stoney St, London SE1 1TL Prices from: £35, or approximately $44, per person.

Afternoon tea at Great Court Restaurant, British Museum

As you sip tea beside the curling Ionic capitals of stone columns, it’s hard not to be impressed by the majesty of the British Museum. The Great Court Restaurant is perched at the top of the former reading room, a rotunda in the central courtyard of one of London's best museum. Since its major revamp in the 1990s, the entire quadrangle has been covered with an undulating glass roof and the round space inside now contains the museum shop. The restaurant above is open on all sides to expose the surrounding feats of architecture, old and new. From Sir Robert Smirke’s original neoclassical design to the tessellated-glass canopy by Foster and Partners, this is an ancient temple with a modern touch.

The restaurant itself is intimate–particularly in comparison to its surroundings. There’s a small bar pouring Prosecco into coupes at one end and an open kitchen at the other. Clinking china and the happy chatter of patrons, either eating lunch (the couple beside us had a lovely-looking Sunday roast) or enjoying a classic three-tier afternoon tea, resound. We did the latter, gobbling up finger sandwiches so that our scones wouldn't lose their warmth. Expect typical British delights: smoked salmon and cucumber, egg and cress, ham with farmhouse chutney and coronation chicken. The freshly baked scones, plain and raisin, are fluffy with just a slight crunch on the outside. The top-tier sweets are baked in-house, and the stars of the show are definitely the macarons, with flavors of creamy coffee and zingy lemon.

Top off your afternoon by exploring the museum collections. With 10 curatorial and research departments spanning from Asia to the Americas, no one will judge you if you choose to focus on the more famous exhibits, be that the Rosetta Stone or Ginger – a 5,500-year-old naturally mummified man with gingery tufts of hair. And a whizz round the beautiful Parthenon Marbles is a must.— Lauren Hepburn

Address : Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG Prices from : £24, or approximately $30, per person $30

Afternoon tea at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard

From the 35th floor of The Shard, St Paul's Cathedral - once the tallest building in London - appears reduced to the size of a Tunnock's Tea Cake. It's not just the view from here that draws visitors from all around the world. Chinese restaurant TĪNG Lounge is part of the Shangri-La hotel , which occupies floors 34-52 of The Shard—now Europe's tallest building.

You are greeted by the sound of the Orient, as a musician plucks away on a Chinese guzheng zither—and yet there's no escaping the fact that you are in London. To the west, the London Eye circles; ahead, Tower Bridge proudly straddles the River Thames; train tracks cut a path through the concrete jungle in every direction; and, in the far distance, Canary Wharf stands tall. To simply take a few snaps is not to fully appreciate the sight; better to sit down for a leisurely afternoon tea.

There is a traditional English option, but the Asian-inspired afternoon tea is lighter, healthier and all-together tastier. Prawn dumplings are plump and sweet, then there's vegetable gyoza (eat these first as they'll go cold), Cornish crab brioche buns, little cups of wasabi- and ginger-cured salmon, and an open duck roll on wanton. Scones are infused with Earl Grey tea, making them seem fresher, and the mango jam is a welcome change. Traditional sweets are spiked with more exotic flavors. Coconut mousse has a mango centre. Sponge cake is colored with matcha green tea. Cream is infused with cinnamon. Cheesecake is soaked in yuzu juice. And don't forget that view; book a table an hour or so before sunset to watch the skyline transform in the moonlight.

Address: 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU Price: Skyline Afternoon Tea from £65, or approximately $80

Afternoon tea at Oblix West, The Shard

It’s difficult to focus on anything but the skyline at Oblix West, perched 32 levels up in the glassy Shard–a fact that happily hasn’t escaped them. Afternoon tea here is not about theatrics or gimmicks. No gilded trolleys, no smoke and mirrors; there’s little in the way of ceremony. And thank goodness for that. This afternoon tea is about paying tribute to the city spread out like a fantastic brick carpet below.

Cranberry-stuffed scones are served with clotted cream and bay-leaf-seasoned jam, as well as a sticky cube of fresh honeycomb from Harrow bees. Coronation-chicken sandwiches are lined with mango and coriander in a nod to Brick Lane, and the cheese in the ham and cheese sandwiches comes from a local urban cheesemaker. But the sweet treats are the real highlight: the yuzu and grapefruit posset will have you studiously scooping up every last drop, while the orange and chocolate cake is refreshingly citrusy. They’re decadent without leaving you feeling like you’ve overdone it on the sugar.

The tea itself comes from further afield. A white-peony blend from China is delicate and grassy, hibiscus flowers from the Caribbean are perfumed and fruity, and a tea made from rare New Zealand manuka flowers grown in Cornwall is subtle and woody.

This is a great spot if you’re trying to impress visiting out-of-town relatives. The atmosphere is lively and diners err strongly on the smart side of the smart-casual dress code – although, truth be told, everyone will be too busy staring out the windows to take much notice that you’ve made an effort.— Olivia Holborow

Address: The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY Price: £49, or approximately $60, per person

Rosewood London afternoon tea

There are a few things that make the Rosewood London afternoon tea different from the rest. Firstly, there’s the setting: it’s like being inside a mirror ball, albeit a very relaxing one, with its light-covered ceiling, clusters of bulbs set on fragmented reflective glass, light splashing every which way. Chocolate-, coffee- and pistachio-colored Chesterfields and swirly-shaped sofas are carefully positioned to offer maximum privacy, divided by towers of fresh hydrangeas and lilies. Ask for the table by the closed doors if you really want your own little alcove (and to watch people regularly and unsuccessfully attempting to enter the hotel beside you).

Then there’s the food, served on a miniature stage rather than a traditional three-tiered stand, in-keeping with its art theme. On our August 2022 visit, Salvador Dali played muse, with pastry chef Mark Perkins’ creations taking their lead from a Surrealism Beyond Borders exhibition at the Tate Modern. It’s also a more generous menu than most, with five unique cakes served after the limitless finger sandwiches, tart, choux, and scones. These include the intricate ‘Queen of Hearts’ made of ruby peach jelly and almond sponge, the epic and egg-shaped ‘Metamorphosis of DNarcissus’, and the sweet little orange ‘lobster telephones’. The tea list itself includes not one but two unusual ‘blue’ options: Māori and Grand Oolong.

Finally, it must be the only afternoon tea in London with its own augmented reality experience: scan the QR code to reveal a very special secret touch, fluttering around the restaurant, during the final course.— Becky Lucas

Address: 252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN Price from: £72, or approximately $90

Afternoon tea at The Lanesborough

The walk from Hyde Park to The Lanesborough oozes all the charms of spring–and it joyfully continues to the aptly named Meadow Afternoon Tea inspired by the Royal Parks just outside.

Dressed in lavender sprigs and dainty flowers, the sandwiches are of the quintessentially British variety; smoked salmon, cucumber and egg mayonnaise. However, the poached chicken seasoned with a mustard-mayonnaise dressing and parmesan is worthy of a second helping. Plus, there are mini quiches filled with cheese, poppy seeds and herby cream which, in my humble opinion, should be double in size.

The pièce de résistance, a delicate daisy sitting atop the stand is a chamomile-infused bavarois with a biscuit base and a citrus mango crémeux as the pistil. The Apple Blossom is a caramel apple compote coated with a tart apple mousse, while a yogurt cake with honey ganache is hand-crafted to resemble a bee. There’s also a lemon and lime cheesecake on a crumbly sable.

Pair it all with piping hot loose-leaf teas. For classics with a twist, there’s Chocolate Brownie, a black tea with notes of cacao, Chinese green tea with rhubarb and vanilla and white tea with chili if you’re after a slight kick. Accompany this with Champagne or go for an elderflower and jasmine cocktail – also available as a mocktail.— Zahra Surya Darma

Address: The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA Price from:  £68, or approximately $85

Royal Afternoon Tea at The Milestone Hotel

Visiting a place such as The Milestone reminds you just how much rich history swirls through London’s every corner and crevice. You may not have heard of the hotel before–you might have even marched straight past its red-and-white bricks, so typical of its neighborhood–but it’s been standing there, directly opposite Kensington Palace, since the late 19th century. The original building’s roots stretch back even further, to 1689, and it’s since been home to various royal commissioners and bodyguards and even Shakespeare’s grandson before it became a place to stay in 1922. Today its focus is on making all of its original features sing as much as possible, from its checkered tile floors to its wood-paneled walls, coffered ceilings and shelves lined with leather-bound books.

Understandably, it tends to get a little over-shadowed by its world-famous royal neighbor, but its lower-key location also makes it a great, quieter spot to take tea before a walk around the Palace Gardens or its latest exhibition, as well as somewhere more likely to be frequented by Kensington locals. There are three, if not four, rooms to choose between – the more traditional Park Lounge, with its open fire and well-spaced tables and armchairs ideal for quiet conversations, the airy Conservatory or the larger and multi-chandeliered Chenestons Restaurant. A further, more inside-track option is the tiny converted house chapel, which today serves as a space for small groups – ideal for those with babes or toddlers. As well as stained-glass windows framed by beautiful arches, there’s a small alcove to the left of its direct entrance where it’s believed an altar once stood.

The tea menus become ‘royal’ or ‘royal rosé’ once half a bottle of your chosen Champagne is added (we recommend the latter). The page-long selection of brews is impressive without being overwhelming; the caramelly New Vithanakande is a stand-out, as well as the bergamot orange and lemon peel infused Planter’s Mistress (popular because of its intriguing name as well as its taste, the staff believe). The three tiers of food are particularly generous and include what is probably the city’s only circular, and perhaps very best, afternoon tea sandwich, plump with chicken mayonnaise, and topped with toasted almonds. French pastries and tartlets are served alongside the cakes, including a signature cheesecake made using The Milestone’s president and founder, Bea Tollman’s original recipe, and for which the last of your appetite must be saved. But the sweetest thing of all? The special prince or princess tea for children served on a mini stand and accompanied by a hot chocolate and/or milkshake, as well as lots of okay-for-just-a-day indulgent attention.  Becky Lucas

Address :  1 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DL Price from: £75, or approximately $94

Afternoon tea at Dalloway Terrace, The Bloomsbury Hotel

Best for: seasonally themed menus

Every couple of months, the terrace at The Bloomsbury Hotel gets a revamp to fit in with the changing seasons, switching from a cozy space in autumn and winter to a light and elegant spot in the warmer months. The secret garden is currently in its spring dress in partnership with The Botanist Islay Dry Gin. Its floral get-up is inspired by the English countryside in full bloom, with full-bodied green foliage teeming with wildflowers, blossom, tulips and ranunculus designed by floral designers Early Hours, transporting you straight to a rustic garden, dappled with those delicious early-season rays of sunshine.

The menu has been re-imagined by Bloomsbury Hotel head pastry chef and Afternoon Tea of the Year Finalist, Chris Dodd, to include local, foraged and handmade produce, resulting in a special new herbal afternoon tea. Finely sliced sandwiches of spinach bread are stuffed with marinated cucumber and cream cheese; or malted cocoa bread with coronation chicken; a brioche bun with deviled egg mayonnaise and watercress.

Perfectly baked scones–a vanilla and lemon variety and a golden raisin option–are slathered with Devonshire clotted cream and a dollop of Scottish raspberry jam. Beautifully decorated and delicate sweets, that you are advised to eat in a certain order, sit pretty at the top of the tea stand: first the lemon and basil drizzle cake, followed by a rich ginger cheesecake with pear compote; on to the refreshing blackberry and lemongrass jelly with a lemongrass-infused cream, concluded by the intensely flavorful strawberry and black pepper parfait with balsamic glaze.

Add a glass of Champagne or one of the bespoke and rather decadent-for-daytime spring-fresh cocktails such as the Islay Martini, a mix of The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, citrus Oleo-Saccharum and rosemary oil, and you might just convince yourself your next stop is a tea party in a dreamy, butterfly-bedecked English country garden somewhere. Cordelia Aspinall and Becky Lucas

Address: 16-22 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NN Price from: £40, or approximately $50

Traditional afternoon tea at The Savoy

London today is as blessed with as many fine hotels, restaurants and tea houses in which to take afternoon tea as at any point in its history. Possibly even more of them. Nominating the best of the lot would be an impossible and unrealistic task, since so much depends on mood and whim and the exigencies of the moment. But in any case and under any circumstances The Savoy would have to be very, very, very near the top of such a list.

Service is lively, liveried and brisk, respectful but not fawning, attentive without being obtrusive, resolutely on the right side of stuffy. In short, it's spot-on. The tableware is pleasingly crisp of linen, silvery of pot and spoon, and floral of cup and saucer. Nor is there any faulting the foodstuffs. The obligatory finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes are impeccable; the teas, from the house blend to the splendidly named Iron Buddha Oolong and Flowering Osmanthus, likewise.

The Savoy all but invented the thé dansant in its Thames Foyer, as it has become known. Despite its name, it's not actually very easy to see the Thames from here. (It's a different story from the suites above, which have river views to stagger the gods.) Yet there's a curiously riparian feel to the space, with its palette of pale greens, the light filtered softly through a splendid stained-glass dome, the staff eddying and flowing around the central gazebo, which itself seems to float on a bed of hydrangeas.

Address: The Savoy, The Strand, London WC2R 0EU Prices from: £65, or approximately $80

Afternoon tea at Claridge's, Mayfair

There is a very skilled art in creating such an iconic experience as afternoon tea at Claridge's without the event becoming a parody of itself. As one of the best hotels in London, this could become a tourist sideshow, something to 'tick off' the list. The skill in keeping its authenticity lies, as ever, with the staff who create this experience, keeping it a treat while keeping it real.

There are two sittings of early and late afternoon tea at Claridge's, set in the hotel's sensational Foyer (our recommendation—if you can get a table), or the more tucked-away Reading Room. Claridge's is known for its warm welcome to all, and we were instantly made to feel like part of the family. Tunes from the 1920s played by a pianist and cellist create the perfect backdrop, while the incredible Dale Chihuly chandelier hovered above our heads as a modern-day talking point.

From the extensive menu we chose a Tregothnan Earl Grey, made with a blend from an ancient Cornish estate that has been around since 1335; and Darjeeling, the 'Champagne of teas'. This is a great place to try something new —go with a recommendation from the knowledgeable staff.

Six types of bladed sandwiches arrived (our favorites were smoked salmon with shrimp butter on rye, and cucumber, mine and lemon cream cheese); once we'd polished those off, more appeared. But onto the good stuff: the highlight was the freshly-baked scones, plain, and raisin, with stick-to-your-spoon clotted cream and Marco Polo jam. Finally, cakes - and the passion fruit chocolate tart nearly finished us off.

There is an art to feeling looked after, and at Claridge's that art has been perfected. A long early-evening stroll across Hyde Park is recommended to walk off the cake.

Address: Brook Street, London W1K 4HR1 Price from: £75, or approximately $94, per person

Afternoon tea at The Stage, The Londoner Hotel

The Londoner Hotel 's decadence begins and ends in the Gatsby-esque foyer lounge, also known as The Stage. A Champagne bar with all the nuances of a Parisian café, the bar itself is decorated with tan leather stools and premium bottles (Charles Heidsieck Magnums; ornate gins; single-barrel Jack Daniels). Intimate table settings are set with gold-trimmed china teacups and crystal Champagne glasses, enclosed by velvet armchairs in soft pinks and grays. Choreographed lighting provides an apt spotlight for each dish, providing an experience worthy of its namesake. And what is a stage without a show? Across from the bar is a small area for live music to soundtrack your tea service.

Afternoon tea comes in various forms including traditional or Champagne, alongside a selection of exclusive loose-leaf teas from The East India Company. To start, a refreshing amuse-bouche du jour selected by the chef is presented. Each element is explained in delectable detail by the maître d'; we tried marinated cucumber and elderflower sorbet with a drizzle of manuka honey on a bed of white chocolate powder and topped with yuzu caviar. Three tiers of mini sandwiches are next; each a different color to indicate the delights within. The chicken with truffle mayonnaise on basil-and-spinach-infused bread was the star of this show but additional sandwiches can be made-to-order depending on your favorites.

Next comes a basket of warm, freshly baked, gold-top scones, so fluffy they pull apart in your hands; followed by a finale of handcrafted patisseries, displayed as the artworks they are – the toughest decision you’ll make all day will be choosing only two but be sure to ask the maître d' for one of their uber-chic stage bags for leftovers – trust us, you won't want to waste a single bite.— Megan Morris

Address: The Stage at The Londoner, 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX Price from: £55, or approximately $70

Afternoon tea at The Wolseley

There is something deliciously opulent about going to The Wolseley in the middle of the day. This Mayfair stalwart, swathed in gold with imposing chandeliers and arching pillars and black-and-cream tiles, is best-known for its lavish breakfasts, topping our edit of the best brunch in London. Head through the velvet curtain at the door on an afternoon, though, to find groups of smartly dressed people being served tea from silver pots by suited waiters in the grande-dame dining room.

On the afternoon-tea menu, classic finger sandwiches include smoked salmon and smoked chicken. The vegetarian selection is just as varied and delicious: no endless egg-and-cress here. Instead, there’s avocado, cucumber with mint, and celery with cream cheese, served on a variety of breads (sundried tomato, seeded and, our favorite, traditional, pillowy white). Second helpings are encouraged. Scones are of the fruity variety, kept warm under a cloche, to be topped with lashings of clotted cream and jam.

Pastries are surprisingly up-to-the-minute for a restaurant that trades so heavily (and so well) on old-school charm, and include a black forest gâteau, baked cheesecake and apple strudel with chantilly cream. Be sure to share so you can try them all – there’s not a dud among them.

The Wolseley’s afternoon tea is delicious, and you will, undoubtedly, leave feeling uncomfortably full, as with all of the teas on this list. But something about being in the humming, clinking, tinkling dining room with its high ceilings and attentive – never over-bearing–staff makes it extra special. Sarah James

Address : 160 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9EB Price from : £36, or approximately $45

Afternoon tea at Harrods

Harrods ’ Tea Rooms first opened in 1911, the year of King George V’s coronation, and was initially named The Georgian, quickly becoming renowned for its tea dances on the special sprung dance floor. Today, it is one of the most Googled afternoon teas in London, offering a truly idiosyncratic ‘English’ experience. The fourth-floor space is huge – it’s no surprise to learn that it was formerly the biggest restaurant in town, with capacity for 1,200–and beautifully Art Deco: it has an intricate, light-splashing skylight with wrought ironwork, a mixture of lush booths and round tables, adjoining Perrier-Jouet Champagne terrace and a long-haired pianist tinkling out classics perfectly on a grand. The vibe is completely calm no matter how full it gets, with friendly, unflappable staff who manage to be incredibly precise while putting you at ease. (Note: dress code is smart casual, which means no trainers, shorts, sportswear, flip flops or midriffs, thank you very much).

The menu, featuring sweet illustrations by Alice Nyong, has no less than eight pages of teas to choose from – classic, black, green, oolong, white, herbal, plus coffees and hot chocolates – accompanied by a unique little key showing how sweet, floral, woody or astringent each is. There are also plenty of alcoholic options, such as interesting tea-based cocktails, and even really very good non-alcoholic rosé Champagne. The crustless sandwiches are all dainty and delicate, with the stand-outs being the classic English cucumber and mint cream cheese, the ‘King George’ salt beef, and the Faroe Island smoked salmon and lemon cream cheese with white chocolate sprinkled on top.

From the pastry selection, the meadow honey cake and chocolate pralines palet are just as pretty and indulgent as they sound—or you can explore the banoffee delice and Pink Lady apple crumble over on the entirely separate vegan menu. Don’t miss the Orient-Express style bathrooms or chic lounge heavy with Chanel tomes just next door, before working off your tea while languidly trying to find an exit in the world’s most famous labyrinth of a department store. Becky Lucas

Address : 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL Price from: £62, or approximately $78

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London Travel Guide

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• United Kingdom
• Docklands & Canary Wharf

Sunborn Afternoon Tea

• Good for special occasions
• Great for scenic views

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Additional information.

• Dining style Casual Dining
• Price £26 to £40
• Cuisines Afternoon Tea, British
• Hours of operation Afternoon Tea Daily 12:30 pm–4:00 pm
• Phone number 020 3714 8111
• Website https://www.sunbornhotels.com/london/restaurant-bar/under-the-sea-afternoon-tea/
• Payment options AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
• Dress code Casual Dress
• Executive chef Paul Ribbands
• Location Sunborn Hotel, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1AA
• Neighborhood Docklands
• Cross street Royal Victoria Docks
• Parking details None
• Public transit Royal Victoria DocksCustom House for EXCEL
• Additional Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 318 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews.

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

• 4.3 Service
• 4.4 Ambience

Noise • Energetic

Michael Chritopher

Dined on August 11, 2024

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How is Sunborn Afternoon Tea restaurant rated?

Sunborn Afternoon Tea is rated 4.3 stars by 318 OpenTable diners.

Is Sunborn Afternoon Tea currently accepting reservations?

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Sunborn Hotel, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1AA

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Narrowboat Nomad

Canal Boat Afternoon Tea in London: A Unique and Relaxing Experience

Canal boat afternoon tea in London has become a popular way to enjoy a unique dining experience while cruising through the city’s waterways . The tradition of afternoon tea dates back to the 19th century and is still a beloved pastime in the UK. Combining this tradition with a canal boat ride offers a delightful way to spend an afternoon in London.

There are several companies in London that offer canal boat afternoon tea experiences, each with their own unique twist. Some boats are traditional narrowboats, while others are modern and luxurious. The tea service usually includes a selection of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes, and of course, a variety of teas to choose from. As guests enjoy their tea and treats, they can take in the sights of London from a different perspective, passing by iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge.

Canal boat afternoon tea in London is a unique and exciting experience that combines a relaxing boat ride with a delicious afternoon tea. This experience is perfect for those who want to enjoy a traditional British afternoon tea while taking in the beautiful scenery of London’s canals.

What is a Canal Boat Afternoon Tea?

A canal boat afternoon tea is a dining experience that takes place on a canal boat while it cruises through London’s canals. Guests can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes, and a variety of teas while taking in the sights of the city from a different perspective.

Why Choose a Canal Boat Afternoon Tea?

Choosing a canal boat afternoon tea is an excellent choice for those who want to experience something unique and different. It offers a relaxing and peaceful environment while enjoying a delicious afternoon tea. It is also an ideal way to celebrate a special occasion or spend quality time with friends and family.

What to Expect on a Canal Boat Afternoon Tea

Guests can expect a warm welcome aboard the canal boat, where they will be shown to their seats and served their afternoon tea. The boat will then start to cruise through London’s canals, offering stunning views of the city’s landmarks and hidden gems. The experience usually lasts for around two hours, allowing guests to enjoy their tea and soak in the atmosphere.

Overall, a canal boat afternoon tea in London is an unforgettable experience that combines the traditional British afternoon tea with a unique and exciting way to see the city. It is perfect for those who want to relax and unwind while enjoying delicious food and beautiful scenery.

Booking and Schedule

How to book a canal boat afternoon tea.

Booking a canal boat afternoon tea in London is a straightforward process. There are several companies that offer this service, and you can book your experience online or over the phone. When booking, you will need to provide the number of people in your party, any dietary requirements, and your preferred date and time.

It is advisable to book in advance, especially during peak season, to avoid disappointment. Some companies may require a deposit to secure your booking, so be sure to check their terms and conditions before making a reservation.

When to Book a Canal Boat Afternoon Tea?

The best time to book a canal boat afternoon tea in London is during the warmer months, from April to September. This is when the weather is most favourable and the scenery is at its best.

If you are planning to celebrate a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, it is recommended to book well in advance to ensure availability. Some companies may also offer private hire options, allowing you to have the boat exclusively for your party.

Schedule of Canal Boat Afternoon Tea

The schedule of a canal boat afternoon tea may vary depending on the company and route. However, most experiences last for approximately 90 minutes to two hours and include a leisurely cruise along the canal, a selection of sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, and a choice of tea or coffee.

Departure times may vary depending on the time of year, with some companies offering multiple departures throughout the day. It is important to check the schedule when booking to ensure you choose the most convenient time for your party.

Overall, booking a canal boat afternoon tea in London is a unique and enjoyable experience that is perfect for celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a relaxing afternoon with friends or family.

The Experience

Boarding and departure.

Passengers will board the canal boat at a designated meeting point, where they will be greeted by friendly staff and directed to their seats. The boat will then depart for a leisurely 2-hour cruise along the River Thames, passing by some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Shard, and the London Eye.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, and guide dogs are welcome onboard. Smoking is not permitted, and safety instructions will be given before departure.

Cruise and Sightseeing

During the cruise, passengers will have the opportunity to take in the stunning views of London’s skyline and its many gardens. An informative guide will point out the landmarks and provide interesting facts and stories about their history.

Afternoon Tea Service

The highlight of the canal boat afternoon tea experience is the traditional afternoon tea service. Passengers will be served a selection of freshly made sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes, sweet treats, and unlimited tea. For those who prefer something a little stronger, a glass of Prosecco can be added to the package.

The tea service is accompanied by live music from a talented pianist, adding to the relaxed and elegant atmosphere of the boat. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring that every passenger’s needs are met.

Dress Code and Children

There is no strict dress code for the canal boat afternoon tea, but passengers are encouraged to dress smartly. Children are welcome onboard, and there is a special children’s menu available for them.

Overall, the canal boat afternoon tea in London provides a unique and memorable experience for both locals and tourists alike. With its stunning views, delicious food, and live music, it’s the perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon in the city.

Dining Options

When it comes to dining options, canal boat afternoon tea in London offers a variety of choices to cater to different dietary requirements. Here are some sub-sections that provide more information on the dining options available:

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

For vegetarians and vegans, there are plenty of options available on most canal boats. The sandwiches, cakes and pastries are usually vegetarian, and some boats even offer vegan options upon request. The staff on the boat are usually happy to accommodate dietary requirements, so it’s always worth checking with them beforehand.

Gluten-Free Options

If you have a gluten intolerance or allergy, some canal boats offer gluten-free options for their afternoon tea. These options may include gluten-free sandwiches, cakes, and pastries. It is always best to check with the boat staff beforehand to ensure that they can cater to your dietary requirements.

Other Dietary Restrictions

For other dietary restrictions, such as lactose intolerance or nut allergies, it is always best to check with the boat staff beforehand. They may be able to offer alternative options to cater to your dietary requirements. It is important to note that some boats may not be able to cater to all dietary restrictions due to the limitations of their onboard kitchen facilities.

Overall, canal boat afternoon tea in London offers a range of dining options to cater to different dietary requirements. It is always best to check with the boat staff beforehand to ensure that they can cater to your specific dietary requirements.

Additional Information

Location and getting there.

The canal boat afternoon tea experience in London is located at various locations along the city’s canals. Passengers will be notified of the exact location when booking their tickets. The nearest underground stations to the departure points are listed below:

Passengers are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time to ensure a prompt start. It is also recommended to check the travel updates before setting off to avoid any delays.

There is no strict dress code for the canal boat afternoon tea experience, but smart casual attire is recommended. Passengers are advised to wear comfortable shoes as there may be some walking involved to board the boat.

Wheelchair Access

The canal boat afternoon tea experience is wheelchair accessible, but it is recommended to inform the operator in advance so that they can make necessary arrangements. The boats have ramps and disabled toilets, but there may be some limitations due to the narrowness of the boats.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is strictly prohibited on the canal boats. Passengers are advised to smoke only in designated areas on land before or after the trip.

Overall, the canal boat afternoon tea experience in London offers a unique and enjoyable way to explore the city’s waterways while indulging in a delicious afternoon tea.

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Luxury Yacht Overnight Stay and Afternoon Tea on the Sunborn

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13 Unique Afternoon Teas in London You Must Try (2024)

London is lousy with afternoon tea spots, as it’s one of the top things to do when visiting London. However, not all afternoon teas are created equal. I’ve compiled the 13 most unique afternoon tea spots in London in this list, ones that will stand ahead above the crowd and provide an afternoon to remember.

After all, afternoon tea in London is not exactly cheap, running between £30-£80 per person on average. Most travelers can only afford to do it once during their trip. So you may as well choose a uniquely themed afternoon tea experience to make it all the more fun.

Take a look at the unique afternoon tea spots on this list, and find one that tickles your fancy, but remember the number one rule for afternoon tea in London: book well in advance! Afternoon teas sell out days or weeks in advance, so it’s not really something you can decide to do last minute and expect to get a seat somewhere!

Here’s a look at 13 unique afternoon teas in London, 9 of them selected by myself and fellow travel bloggers, and 4 more that I think look incredibly promising. Many of these are literary-inspired afternoon teas because if you’re new here, literary travel is kind of my thing .

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In This Post

As always, this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, shopping from them may generate small commissions to support the operations of this blog.

Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org , because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.

London Afternoon Tea with Cats

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium Afternoon Tea is without a doubt one of the best themed afternoon teas in London! With its unique and quirky concept that combines a delicious afternoon tea with the company of adorable cats, what’s not to love?! Visitors can enjoy their tea while being surrounded by playful and affectionate rescue cats, so it’s a perfect destination for cat lovers and those seeking a one-of-a-kind experience.

Situated in London’s trendy Bethnal Green neighborhood , the tea room is decorated with cute cat-themed décor and set over two different floors, both with stunning and creative themes – The Basement Forest and the Mad Hatter’s Tearoom!

For afternoon tea there’s an assortment of teas and “cattacinos,” sandwiches, cat-shaped scones (adorable!), and lots of delicious and creative cat-inspired pastries and treats.

It does get busy so it’s best to book in advance! This unique London afternoon tea costs £27 per person, making it a very reasonably priced and memorable activity! They also cater very well to dietary restrictions and have gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan options.

The nearest Tube station to Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is Shoreditch High Street, which is just a short walk away, making it easily accessible. It’s just around the corner from the famous Brick Lane Market as well so you can pop there afterwards!

Submitted by Catrina from 24 Hours Layover

Mad Hatter’s Alice in Wonderland Afternoon Tea

When it comes to themed afternoon teas in London, Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea, located at Sanderson Hotel on the north edge of Soho, stands out as a whimsical and enchanting experience that transports you to the magical world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland . Amidst the city’s wealth of afternoon tea options, this tea party with a twist offers a unique adventure for your taste buds .

What sets Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea apart as one of the most unique afternoon teas in London is not just the theme, but also the carefully crafted food selection. In addition to the trusted favorites like sandwiches and scones, here you can expect an array of whimsical treats and delicacies inspired by the characters and moments from Alice in Wonderland.

From “Drink Me” potions to pocket-watch macarons and Queen of Hearts-themed pastries, each bite is a delightful surprise. With an average price per person of around £50-£70 (depending on whether you opt for bubbles and which one), it is definitely one of the more affordable London afternoon teas

Those with dietary restrictions, don’t fret! Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea in London can accommodate various needs. In addition to offering a dedicated vegan menu (at all times!), they can also cater to other dietary requirements. However, it’s best to inform the venue beforehand to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Now that you have booked your table ( reservation is highly recommended!) and specified your dietary requirements, how do you get there? It’s easy! The nearest tube stations are Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, and Goodge Street (all less than 10 minutes walking distance), making it super accessible from all around London. So, you have no excuse not to step into Wonderland and embark on a tea experience like no other indulging in the magic, savoring the delectable treats, and letting your imagination run wild in this enchanting tea party adventure!

Submitted by Goya from GoyaGaleotta.com

Tip : If you are a traveling book lover, make sure you visit the Charles Dickens Museum in London .

The Secret Garden London Afternoon Tea

Taj 51 is a luxurious hotel located in London near Westminster and has one of the best themed afternoon teas in London. The Secret Garden Afternoon Tea is inspired by the children’s book, The Secret Garden , by Frances Hodgson Burnett (a native of Manchester, UK! ).

This unique London afternoon tea will transport you into this timeless tale and has the most beautiful design. The snacks and dessert come out in a golden birdcage adorned with butterflies. Some of the desserts mirror that of a flower pot, and the flower pot is edible! You can even eat the dirt!

At the Secret Garden Afternoon Tea, you also are brought a menu that, upon opening it, a butterfly emerges, making a wonderful surprise to the start of your unique afternoon tea here. Other fun surprises include a box that you can open with a key… inside is another butterfly.

Vegetarian and vegan afternoon teas are available upon request and 48 hours notice. The cost of the afternoon tea starts at £75 and with alcohol, it is £90. Add this unique experience to your non-touristy London itinerary!

This unique London afternoon tea is only available from Thursday to Sunday at 12:00,14:00 and 16:00 hrs. For reservations, you must call +44 (0) 20 7769 7766 or email [email protected].

Submitted by Jackie from Jou Jou Travels

Related : Check out these companies that make creative bookish tea flavors inspired by literature.

Sketch Afternoon Tea London

Sketch is one of London’s most iconic venues for afternoon tea, offering tourists and locals alike a step inside an opulent setting to enjoy a delectable range of goodies.

Once simply known as “the pink restaurant with amazing toilets,” this London establishment has recently been made over and is now styled in muted colors and sumptuous fabrics. But once your eye has taken in the decor and of course the egg-shaped toilets (you won’t believe it until you see them for yourself) it is the delicious and unique afternoon tea that is the star of the show.

Served by your dedicated waiter, at Sketch afternoon tea in London you will be able to enjoy a range of exquisite sandwiches, pastries, and of course scones with jam and cream, which is a must for all afternoon teas in London.

Sketch is one of the most unique afternoon teas in London. The menu is based on traditional English delights such as egg and soldiers with caviar, a play on the children’s breakfast; truffled brioche rolls, which add a touch of luxury to the tea; and Battenberg cake, a favorite from children’s parties in the 1970s.

Don’t be fooled by how your delicacies look, as you might find they taste completely different from what you expect. That’s a little treat waiting for you to discover.

Afternoon tea at Sketch is £69 and with champagne between £30-£40 more depending on your choice of bubbles. Gluten-free options are available.

Make sure to book a table well in advance, as Sketch is one of London’s most popular afternoon teas. The nearest tube stations are Bond Street and Oxford Circus.

Submitted by Angela from whereangiewanders.com

Tip : The Sketch Afternoon Tea London is only one tube stop away from the famous Sherlock Holmes Museum ! Make sure to include that in your London itinerary.

Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour offers one of the most unique afternoon teas in London: afternoon tea inside an iconic double-decker bus!

The afternoon tea bus tour departs from Victoria Coach Station and takes guests on a 90-minute scenic drive around some of the city’s most famous landmarks. During the afternoon tea bus tour, you’ll enjoy ongoing music and commentary about the places as you pass them, while enjoying delicious afternoon tea treats.

Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus offers several afternoon tea themes, including the Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour, the Blamtastic BEANO Afternoon Tea Bus Tour, and the Grinchmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour.

Each theme in this unique London afternoon tea features a different menu of food and drinks and some fun activities and games. You’ll enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and a range of cakes and pastries.

The Blamtastic BEANO Afternoon Tea Bus Tour features a more playful menu, offering items like Bangers & Mash-up Chocolate Cupcake and a Cucumber & Cream Cheese Finger on Charcoal Bread. The Grinchmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is a festive affair, with a menu that includes Christmas treats like mince pies and gingerbread.

Whichever theme you go for, it’s hard to argue that Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is one of the most unique ways to have afternoon tea in London.

The average price per person for a Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is £45.

Brigit’s Bakery can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions for their afternoon teas. Guests can request a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free menu. They can also request a specific type of tea, such as English Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, or green tea .

The Circle, District, Victoria, and Jubilee lines serve Victoria station, where the tour begins.

Submitted by Ruma from The Holiday Story

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea at Georgian House Hotel

At the Georgian House Hotel, you can one of London’s most unique afternoon teas: a Harry Potter-themed afternoon tea, with a wizard’s hat and all!

This afternoon tea is inspired by the Harry Potter books written by JK Rowling and is held in the cellar of the beautiful Georgian House Hotel. As soon as you walk down the steps, you can hear Harry Potter music, transporting you to Hogwarts.

Every guest at the Harry Potter afternoon tea is given a wizard’s hat to wear for the duration of the meal, and before you get your food, you can even brew a steamy potion in a cauldron! Okay, it’s just hot water poured over ice cubes, but the steam coming out of the cauldron looks very magical.

The food is served in a tray that looks like Hedwig’s cage. You’ll get to enjoy different kinds of finger food, a traditional English scone with jam and cream, and a pot of tea per person. If you’re not already stuffed, you can also enjoy a number of small dessert bites.

The Harry Potter afternoon tea at the Georgian House Hotel costs £40 per person, with an optional surcharge for a vegan menu. This afternoon tea is only available on Saturdays and Sundays, and visitors can choose amongst the following: Standard menu, kids menu, vegetarian menu, or vegan menu.

Having a magical afternoon tea like that is one of the best Harry Potter things you can do in London . And if you want to make your stay in London even more magical, you can stay overnight at the Georgian House Hotel in a Harry Potter-themed enchanted chamber.

Submitted by Tina Riegelnegg of Veganderlust

Tip : If you’re a Potterhead visiting London, check out my detailed review of taking a Harry Potter walking tour and my recommendations for the best London Harry Potter shops . There’s so many Harry Potter things in London to keep a Potterhead busy for days.

Afternoon Tea in a Library

An absolute dream for book lovers, the Library Afternoon Tea at County Hall is one of my favorite spots for afternoon tea in London. Located just across the Thames from the beautiful Parliament Buildings, there are views of Big Ben (well, Queen Elizabeth Tower if we’re going to be accurate), from every window.

You’ll enjoy a delicious tea surrounded by beautiful bookshelves, which divide up the room and give the visitor a more private experience. The menu is inspired by the newly renovated Big Ben/Queen Elizabeth Tower, with the desserts beautifully reflecting the iconic London landmark.

This unique afternoon tea in London offers an incredible tea selection, and you can see and smell the loose leaf teas before making your choice. The food is delicious, the ambience unmatched. Afternoon tea at the Library is a true delight.

Afternoon tea at the Library in London costs £55 per person, with optional add-ons for champagne. Vegan menu options are available by request.

The nearest tube stops for this unique London afternoon tea experience are Lambeth North and Waterloo.

Selected by yours truly, Constance from A Well-Read Wanderer

Garden Afternoon Tea London Escape

The Garden Afternoon Tea at Petersham Nurseries is a whimsical yet elevated afternoon tea experience in London, with seasonal gardening at its heart.

Located in a greenhouse at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, the location for the afternoon tea is stunning right off the bat. The greenhouses at Petersham Nurseries are bedecked with flowers and vines and bring so much natural light into the space.

This unique London afternoon tea is an ode to the English garden. The glass cake tiers are topped with vases filled with seasonal flowers picked that morning from the garden.

The menu changes seasonally to reflect what is growing, but everything is delicious and fresh and often uses edible flowers to make the food even more pretty. From vegetable romesco tarts to clementine and pomegranate cakes, every item on the menu is stunning and far from the predictable cucumber sandwiches of usual afternoon teas.

After you’ve finished enjoying your sandwiches and desserts, a server delivers a basket of fresh scones, jam, and clotted cream and offers to refill your tea.

The Garden Afternoon Tea in London is £45 per person, with upgrades available for prosecco or champagne. A vegetarian menu is available on request.

The closest Tube station to Petersham Nurseries is Richmond, followed by a short bus ride or lovely walk down the riverside.

Petersham Nurseries is almost like a secret garden escape from London, and the Garden Afternoon Tea is a special experience you won’t want to miss. Not only a greenhouse, there is also a beautifully curated shop at the nursery filled with treasures. Wandering Petersham Nurseries is one of the loveliest things to do in South West London .

Submitted by Hannah from Art Distance

Shakespeare Afternoon tea at the London Swan

Next to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, you can enjoy a unique London afternoon tea at the Swan. The afternoon tea theme rotates depending on what plays are being featured at the Globe Theater. When I enjoyed my afternoon tea there in June 2024, it was a “Much Ado About Nothing” tea (although I myself saw a production of Richard III).

Previously, you could reserve a Macbeth afternoon tea, with a menu inspired by Shakespeare’s lyrical prose. You’ll find treats on the menu inspired by Macbeth’s Scottish setting , like Scottish whiskey and orange curd-filled macarons.

Afternoon tea at the Swan is the ideal venue for Shakespeare lovers in London and costs £40.50 per person. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, as is a “Gentleman’s Tea”.

I will say, the tea was not *as themed* as I would have liked or expected. Other than the name of the menu and its location next to the Globe, nothing else would’ve indicated the Shakespearean theme. I hope they find more ways to creatively incorporate the Bard into the experience. Still, I would rate this as a decent option for afternoon tea. The environment is still beautiful, and it’s a great place to have a meal in between touring the Globe Theatre and seeing a play there, which is how I planned my day.

Related : Read about how to visit the real-life castle in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Kronborg Castle in Denmark

Other unique afternoon teas in London I can’t wait to check out:

The above 8 unique London afternoon teas have all been personally recommended by fellow travel bloggers. But if you’re still looking for more unique afternoon tea ideas in London, check out the following venues I haven’t yet been but find promising based on my research.

I’ve especially looked for London afternoon teas that are inspired by books, since I’m all about literary travel.

Sherlock Holmes Mind Palace Afternoon Tea

This truly unique afternoon tea in London is another one with a literary theme, this time inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories .

Once you have received the proper security clearance, guests at Sherlock’s Mind Palace afternoon tea work together to solve a mystery while enjoying themed treats.

The Sherlock Holmes Mind Palace afternoon tea in London costs between £39 to £49 per person and is only available Thursday through Sunday. Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, and Gluten-free options are available.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea

Here’s another fun, book-themed afternoon tea in London: the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych, inspired by beloved children’s author Roald Dahl . This afternoon tea experience is full of sweets, including chocolate tea and punch cocktails.

The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea costs £70 per adult, and £50 per child, with an optional champagne upgrade. Children’s, vegetarian, and vegan menus are available.

Bridgerton Afternoon Tea

The Lanesborough London is currently, for a limited time, hosting a Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea. Come in your best regency attire if you want to really go all-out (otherwise smart casual dress is acceptable), and enjoy a unique London afternoon tea under a domed glass ceiling and a lavishly decorated dining room.

The Bridgerton afternoon tea was such a hit when it launched in 2022 that it reopened in 2023, with a Queen Charlotte-themed afternoon tea. In 2024, visitors can again enjoy a Bridgerton afternoon tea themed around Season 3 of the Netflix hit show. This is definitely a unique afternoon tea to check out in London if you’re a fan of the Netflix series or the Julia Quinn novels that inspired them.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s menus are available.

Tip : this unique London afternoon tea is only available for a limited time, so book soon!

Wicked Afternoon Tea at the Clermont

Only a 3-minute walk from the Apollo Victoria Theatre where you can see Wicked: The Musical, you can enjoy a Wicked-themed afternoon tea! This afternoon tea in London is inspired by the musical, which is inspired by the Gregory Maguire book , of course.

The Wicked Afternoon Tea in London embraces a green theme, unsurprisingly. You can also enjoy a pre-show drink of your choice: The Wicked or the Good. This is one of the more affordable London afternoon teas at £40 per person.

Finding Accommodations in London

When looking for accommodations in London , you have so many options. Make sure to scout out the top locations you want to visit, and make sure to stay within an easy walking distance or tube ride away from those locations. It is a sprawling city, and you don’t want to end up spending all your time commuting.

As you look for somewhere to stay, I recommend checking for lodging on Hotels.com . I almost always book my accommodations through Hotels.com , because you can earn rewards for every night you stay without having to choose only one hotel chain to be loyal to. You can even book locally owned apart hotels and bed and breakfasts.

If you’re looking for privately owned vacation rentals, I recommend checking VRBO. I’ve personally had much better experiences with their owners and rentals than I have with their primary competitor.

Travel Resources At-A-Glance

All of the following are links to sites and services I actually use to book and plan my travel or to purchase books or travel gear.

For flights : Skyscanner is my number one go-to resource for booking flights. I love using the “explore” function to find the cheapest places I can fly during a given time or using the fare calendar to identify the cheapest days to fly.

For hotels and lodgings : For hotels, hotels.com , and for vacation rentals, VRBO.com . I’ve had much better experiences with private rentals through this website than through other popular private vacation rental websites.

For car rentals : Kayak allows comparisons across a wide range of booking agencies and lists reviews of companies as well. I’ve found this to be the most user-friendly and efficient way to compare car rental prices.

For tours & excursions : Viator and Get Your Guide are my top choices for booking excursions and tour experiences in a new destination.

For travel gear : Amazon.com and REI for more outdoorsy items. Check out my travel gear recs here.

For booking trains & buses : I find the Omio app and website to be the most easily navigable for comparing options for public transportation, especially in Europe,

Best travel credit card : My favorite travel rewards credit card for European travel has been the Chase Sapphire Rewards card . Visa is accepted just about everywhere in Europe, and there are no foreign transaction fees on the card. Some of the travel benefits I love on the Chase Sapphire include free TSA pre-check or Global Entry (worth it every time), an annual $200 travel credit, an annual $200 hotel benefit, built-in rental car, and trip insurance, and points are worth 50% more when used to book travel. I travel around Europe a LOT, and I end up with many free flights and hotel stays from using my points on my Chase Sapphire.

For books : Bookshop.org often has prices as good as Amazon or sometimes better, but profits go to indie bookstores all over the country. Whenever possible, consider buying your books from this online indie bookshop resource.

London has no shortage of afternoon tea venues, but my recommendation is to find one with a fun theme. It will make your experience of having an authentic London afternoon tea all the more memorable. What do you think of the themed afternoon tea options on this list?

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I'm Constance, an avid reader and traveler. I love tracking down the best literary sights everywhere I go, from the best indie bookstores to author's homes and fictional locations you can visit in real life. I'm also passionate about all things tea and chocolate. I have a BA in English literature and an MS in Nutrition Science.

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In the heart of the Upper East Side, not far from Central Park’s famed Conservatory Water pond dotted with toy sailboats, The Mark Hotel is home to plush, Art Deco-inspired rooms, elegant restaurants, and access to a sailboat of its own. Guests embark from Tribeca’s North Cove Marina for a two-hour private charter aboard the 70-foot Herreshoff sailboat, which can accommodate up to 25 for cocktails, a custom menu from one of the property’s restaurants (including Caviar Kaspia or the eponymous fine dining spot helmed by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten) and spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty. (From $7,000 for a private excursion)

Six Senses Ibiza, Spain

Ibiza may be best known for its thrumming nightlife, but those after a little tranquility may find it at sea. On the hills overlooking the Balearic, Six Senses Ibiza offers access to such calm aboard one of several vessels in its portfolio, including a Monohull sailing yacht, a Scanner Envy 950, and a Solar Catamaran, powered by solar panels. A full- or half-day trip launches from Xarraca Bay to explore secluded coves and secret beaches where those-in-the-know go for a perfect combination of relaxation and stunning scenery. (From about $950)

Shangri-La London, England

The Charleston Place, South Carolina

With plenty of picturesque coastline to explore, it’s not hard to find a vessel to take you out on the water in Charleston. But in the charming South Carolina city, you’ll only find one Hinckley EP Picnic Boat available for charter. At The Charleston Place , guests of the elegant boutique property can board Moonrise , crafted by the iconic American shipbuilder, for a private sunset tour, or to spend the day off the coast of one of the city’s beautiful barrier islands. (From $1,100 for a two-hour excursion for up to six guests)

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai 

Towering over 1,000 feet, Burj Al Arab Jumeira has been a sailboat-inspired jewel on Dubai’s Arabian Gulf for 25 years. And now, thanks to a recently-launched partnership with Beno Luxury YachtRental , guests can add a sailing experience to their stay, too. Among the fleet of four yachts on offer, the 115-foot Santorini Superyacht can accommodate up to 80 guests for a  two-, three-, or four-hour jaunt that can include a butler, DJ, and custom catering from the property. (From $4,083 per hour)

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Mike Lynch yacht latest: Divers smash through window into hull with crucial hours ahead in Bayesian search

LIVE – Updated at 07:57

Rescue teams have managed to smash through a glass window and enter the hull of the Bayesian as crucial hours are ahead in the search for survivors inside the superyacht.

The firefighter divers were able to reach the common areas of the vessel through the gap, Giornale Di Sicilia reported on Tuesday – however, they are yet to make it to the cabins, which is still set to take a while as entrances may be blocked.

It comes as an engineer warned the next 24 hours are “critical” in the search for the six people who went missing after the boat sank in a severe storm in the early hours of Monday . One man has so far been confirmed dead, Recaldo Thomas, while a further 15 people survived the incident.

Nick Sloane, who worked on the Costa Concordia salvage operation in 2012, told Sky News : “They’ve got a very small window of time to try to find people stuck inside with hopefully an air pocket, and they could be rescued. You’ve got a maximum of two to three days to try to get someone out.”

The missing tourists are billionaire Mike Lynch, who owns the yacht; his daughter, Hannah Lynch; Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

Mr Lynch had reportedly invited his lawyers and friends to celebrate a recent legal victory that cleared him of fraud accusations in the US.

Have you been affected by this story? Email [email protected]

• Rescue teams enter Bayesian’s hull by smashing through glass window, local media report
• Pictured: Chef Ricardo Thomas with ‘smile that lit up the room’ who died in yacht tragedy
• Two more survivors named and pictured
• Mother of survivor says she is ‘beyond relieved’ her daughter is safe
• Another name of surviving crew member confirmed by Italian coastguard
• Captain speaks for first time from hospital bed with just five words

Seven key unanswered questions around the sinking of the Bayesian

With the Bayesian lying on her side 50 metres underneath the now gentle waters of the Mediterranean, mystery still surrounds how the 56-metre superyacht, sank in the typhoon off the port of Porticello.

Remotely controlled underwater vehicles and cave divers are looking to raise the yacht, which experts will examine in the coming days.

It will take weeks for Ambrogio Cartosio, the chief prosecutor of Termini Imerese, and his team to establish whether the sinking of the Bayesian was down to human error, an unpredictable weather event or whether anyone is liable.

They have said they will interview the survivors in the coming days – some of whom were pictured leaving the Domina Zagarella hotel in Santa Flavia, which has become the headquarters for survivors, police and rescuers.

My colleague Barney Davis takes a look at some of the key unanswered questions in this report:

The key unanswered questions around the tragic sinking of the Bayesian

Search to resume for remaining person missing after luxury yacht disaster

The search will resume for the remaining person missing after a luxury yacht sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily following the discovery of five bodies inside the wreck, reports Ellie Ng .

Salvatore Cocina, the head of Sicily’s civil protection agency, confirmed that of the five bodies found on Wednesday, only four had been recovered, and the whereabouts of the missing sixth person remain unknown.

Identities of the recovered bodies have not been confirmed by authorities, despite local and international media reporting some had been identified. Body bags were seen being taken to the port of Porticello on Wednesday afternoon, with the process of bringing the fifth body to shore being described by Mr Cocina as “ongoing”.

He said searches will resume on Thursday morning, and that there will be an investigation in due course, but the priority is finding the missing.

Mike Lynch yacht sinking latest: Fifth body found inside Bayesian sunken off Sicily

British tourist held baby above waves after yacht sank, Italian doctor says

An Italian doctor at the hospital where British tourist Charlotte Emsley and her one-year-old daughter were taken said the mother held her baby above the waves after the yacht sank.

Dr Domenico Cipolla, of Di Cristina Children’s Hospital in Palermo, told the PA news agency: “The child and the mother went to the hotel near Porticello on Tuesday, they are both in a good condition.

“Obviously the mother and the husband were so shaken by what has happened, it was a tragedy for them.

“She told me that two minutes after falling asleep with her baby they were in the water, she did not understand how this happened, it went dark. Her partner was not with her, he was in another room.

“She held the child high in her arms above the waves, for a few seconds the baby was in the water but she saved her.”

Mapped: Where Bayesian sank off coast of Sicily as search enters fourth day

Why did the superyacht bayesian sink.

Hatches and doors left open overnight on the superyacht Bayesian may have caused it to sink in Italy, a sailing expert has said.

Sam Jefferson, editor of magazine Sailing Today, believes the vessel’s huge mast is also likely to have contributed to the deadly event.

It is believed the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout.

Weather records show temperatures reached around 33C the day before the sinking, which may have led to the vessel’s occupants wanting air to flow through while they slept.

Mr Jefferson told the PA news agency: “I would have said that the boat got hit very hard by the wind, it was pinned over on its side.

“I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that.

“The reason it got pinned over so hard was because the mast is huge. It acted almost like a sail. (It) pushed the boat hard over on its side. (The boat) filled with water before it could right.

“This is all speculation, but that’s the only logical explanation.”

Mr Jefferson added that such incidents are “incredibly rare”, describing the chances of a yacht being hit by a waterspout as “minuscule”.

The yacht’s aluminium mast measures 72 metres, making it one of the largest in the world among sailing yachts.

Karsten Borner, the captain of another yacht which was near Bayesian, told news agency Reuters he witnessed the ship go “flat on the water, and then down”.

Salvo Cocina, of Sicily’s civil protection agency, said: “They were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Watch: Moment Bayesian yacht engulfed by storm

Bayesian was victim of ‘high impact’ weather-related incident, says expert.

The Bayesian was the victim of a “high impact” weather-related incident, Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, a UK-based non-profit organisation that trains sea rescuers, has said.

"If it was a water spout, which it appears to be, it's what I would class as like a black swan event," he told Reuters, meaning a rare and unpredictable phenomenon.

Survivors recuperate at hotel complex in Porticello

Survivors have been recuperating at a hotel complex in Porticello.

Authorities have been gathering witness statements from them there.

The curious life of Mike Lynch – who believed dogs could read our minds

Just under 10 weeks ago, 59-year-old Mike Lynch was on trial in San Francisco on 17 charges of fraud . He was almost guaranteed to receive a 25-year sentence.

He was terrified that he would die in a US prison, not because he was guilty – he had spent £30m on legal fees arguing his innocence – but because it’s almost unheard of in the US to win a case against the US Justice Department. His chances of winning were put at 0.5 per cent. However, after 13 years of putting together detailed evidence to support his plea, he was acquitted and it felt like a miracle.

Once back in the UK, Lynch set about celebrating what he called his second life. Through tears, he told one interviewer how even the traffic in London seemed magical. “I’m just thinking this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” he said.

Jonathan Margolis writes:

Mike Lynch: The missing tech tycoon who believed dogs could read our minds

Full story: Five bodies found inside wreck of sunken superyacht Bayesian off coast of Sicily

Five bodies have been discovered inside the wreck of the luxury superyacht Bayesian after it sank in a severe storm off the coast of Sicily.

Only four of the five bodies found on Wednesday have so far been recovered, the head of Sicily’s civil protection agency Salvatore Cocina said on Wednesday evening, while the whereabouts of the sixth missing person remain unknown.

British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among the six people unaccounted for after his vessel sank at around 5am on Monday near the Sicilian capital of Palermo, having been caught in a violent tornado , known as a waterspout.

Read the full story here:

Five bodies found inside wreck of sunken superyacht Bayesian off coast of Sicily

In pictures: Four bodies recovered from Bayesian superyacht are brought ashore

Bayesian’s captain described as ‘very good sailor and well respected'.

The Bayesian's captain, James Cutfield, is a “very good sailor” and “very well respected” in the Mediterranean, his brother Mark has told The New Zealand Herald.

The 51-year-old New Zealander survived the shipwreck.

Captain of yacht who helped rescue 15 survivors of Bayesian disaster tells of ordeal

The captain of a yacht who helped to rescue 15 people from the stricken Bayesian superyacht has described how his crew spotted the distress flare set off from a life raft.

Karsten Borner said his vessel, the Sir Robert BP, was about 150 to 200 metres from the Bayesian when the "extreme" weather hit.

He said his boat was using its engine to stay in position and the crew noticed the Bayesian had disappeared before a passenger on his yacht spotted the flare.

Mr Borner said they dispatched their tender which found the life raft and brought the occupants back to his yacht.

He told Sky News : "We couldn't see them anymore and they disappeared from the radar, we were busy keeping our own ship sailing. We couldn't see the ship again so we were aware something was very wrong."

He said it was only when the tender set out that they found the life raft.

He said: "It turned out to be the life raft, a 12-person life raft with 15 people inside including one baby. They stepped over to our tender and we brought them back to our ship. There we took good care of them, gave them dry clothes, towels, blankets, tea and coffee and so on and took care of them."

Mr Borner said he helped the coastguard launch its search and rescue mission for the other occupants of the Bayesian.

He added that the captain of the Bayesian told him the yacht had sunk in two minutes but he had since seen a video which showed it go down in 60 seconds.

He said: "The engineer and captain had no explanation why she sank so quickly. My personal opinion is it shouldn't tip like this, it goes against any logic."

He also questioned the safety of the Bayesian's 75-metre mast and added: "I think it's not safe to build the masts."

Describing the strength of the storm and sea spouts that hit his yacht and the Bayesian, he said: "They were very close and we were hit very hard, very strong and they had the same. It was extreme, it was extremely strong."

Who are the people missing?

Five bodies have been found in the search for six people missing after the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily.

The island’s civil protection agency confirmed on Wednesday that four out of the five bodies have been recovered and a sixth person remains unaccounted for.

It comes after the body of a chef on the superyacht, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered on Monday.

Here is detailed what we know of those who were on board:

Bayesian yacht sinking: Who are the people missing?

Identities of recovered bodies not yet confirmed by authorities

Identities of the recovered bodies have not been confirmed by authorities, despite local and international media reporting some had been identified.

Technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among the people unaccounted for after the yacht, named Bayesian, sank at around 5am on Monday.

Dozens of emergency services personnel lined port when bodies taken to shore

Dozens of personnel from the Italian Coastguard and local fire service lined the port when the bodies were being taken to shore.

Ambulances were seen taking them away, escorted by police cars.

Hundreds of locals gathered to watch, as church bells were heard ringing out.

Searches finish for day, with one person still missing, confirms civil protection agency

The head of Sicily's civil protection agency Salvatore Cocina has told the PA news agency that searches have finished for the day and will resume on Thursday.

He confirmed that five bodies have been found, but only four recovered.

One person remains missing, Mr Cocina said.

In pictures: Body bag brought ashore by divers after Bayesian tragedy

Remotely controlled underwater vehicles and cave divers are looking to raise the yacht , which experts will examine in the coming days. For now, the focus is on finding the people missing since the yacht went down in the early hours of Monday 19 August.

My colleague Barney Davis reports:

Five bodies now found on sunken luxury yacht off coast of Sicily

Five bodies have been now found inside the wreck of the luxury yacht that sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily.

Three body bags were seen being taken to the port of Porticello on Wednesday afternoon following the sinking of the yacht at around 5am on Monday.

The head of Sicily's civil protection agency Salvatore Cocina said that four bodies had been recovered and efforts to bring a fifth to shore were "ongoing".

He said there will be an investigation in due course, but the priority was to find those who are still missing.

As the three body bags were taken back to the port of Porticello, dozens of emergency services staff were waiting, and one was seen being put in the back of an ambulance.

Coastguard questions survivors including Bayesian captain

The coastguard has been questioning survivors, including the captain of the Bayesian, and passengers on the yacht that was moored next to it who witnessed the ship going down, judicial sources said.

No one is under investigation at the moment, sources added.

Besides the diving team, the coastguard has deployed a remotely operated vehicle to scan the seabed and take underwater pictures and videos that it said may provide “useful and timely elements” for prosecutors looking into the disaster.

Experts have been at a loss to explain how a large luxury vessel, presumed to have top-class fittings and safety features, could have sunk within minutes, as recounted by witnesses. The yacht anchored next to it was unharmed by the storm.

Three body bags seen being taken to Porticello port

Three body bags were seen being taken to the port of Porticello on Wednesday afternoon following the sinking of the yacht.

The three bodies brought ashore were taken to nearby hospitals for formal identification, while the fourth corpse was being taken to land as evening set in.

The identities of the victims were not immediately given by the authorities.

The head of Sicily's civil protection agency Salvatore Cocina confirmed two bodies had initially been found on the Bayesian, followed by two more later in the afternoon.

Watch live: Search resumes after four bodies found inside Mike Lynch’s sunken yacht

Watch a live view of a port in Palermo , Italy , on Wednesday (21 August) as a search operation resumes after the Bayesian superyacht sank off the coast of the Sicilian city:

Live: Search resumes after four bodies found inside Mike Lynch’s sunken yacht

Tributes paid to ‘incredibly talented’ chef who died on sunken superyacht in Sicily

Tributes have been paid to a chef whose body was recovered after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily , as rescuers fear six people are still trapped inside the wreck.

Canadian-Antiguan national Recaldo Thomas, who was working on the Bayesian superyacht, was found by the Italian coastguard near the sunken boat.

A friend of Mr Thomas, who asked to remain anonymous, said the yachting community has been saddened by his death.

Read the full article here:

Tributes paid to ‘incredibly talented’ chef who died on sunken superyacht

Ambulance leaves the harbour as search continues

An ambulance ahs been pictured leaving the harbour after a body bag was brought ashore at Porticello by rescue workers.

Identities of bodies remain unknown

The identities of the four bodies that have been found inside the Bayesian yacht have not yet been identified, with two brought in body bags to shore.

One of the bodies belonged to a heavily built man, a source close to rescue operations said, while the second was that of a woman, Italian news agency Adnkronos said.

Two more bodies found inside yacht

Two further bodies have been found in a luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily, a source close to the matter said on Wednesday.

The boat, owned by the wife of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, was carrying 22 passengers and crew and was anchored off the port of Porticello, near Palermo, when it capsized during a fierce, pre-dawn storm on Monday.

Two corpses were brought ashore from the wreck earlier on Wednesday.

Yacht's captain questioned for more than two hours

The yacht’s captain was reportedly questioned for more than two hours by investigators who are looking into the shipwreck.

James Cutfield, 51, who is from New Zealand, was questioned on Tuesday evening to help provide technical details and for prosecutors to have a clearer understanding of the boat’s final moments.

His brother Mark earlier told the New Zealand Herald he was a “very good sailor” and “very well respected” in the Mediterranean.

Body bag brought ashore as search efforts continue

A body bag has been brought ashore after emergency services confirmed that two bodies had been discovered in the wreck of the superyacht Bayesian.

Who are the divers searching for?

Specialist divers have been searching for six people who went missing when the Bayesian yacht sunk in the Mediterranean Sea.

They include British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who owned the boat, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, as well as Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of Morgan Stanley Bank International and his wife Judye Bloomer and Clifford Chance partner Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo.

Body appears to have been pulled from the water

A body appeared to be pulled from the water near the site of the sunken Bayesian yacht on Wednesday afternoon.

A green body bag was taken back to the port of Porticello where dozens of emergency services staff were waiting.

Latest pictures: Several boats travel to scene as bodies found

Bodies reportedly found behind mattresses.

According to reports in Italian media, the two bodies were found inside the boat behind two mattresses.

They are the second and third victims to be found, after chef Recaldo Thomas was recovered from the water on Monday.

Several boats leave Porticello to go to sinking site

Several boats have left the port of Porticello to go to the site of the sinking.

They left the port at the same time shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday.

Source says one of the two bodies is that of a ‘heavily built man’

Rescue teams have not confirmed the identities of the drowned people, who were recovered after a three-day search operation involving specialist divers.

A source has said that one of the bodies was that of a “heavily built man”.

Six passengers had been missing after the boat capsized, including British billionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer ; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

Survivors reportedly turn down counselling

Survivors of the Bayesian reportedly have turned down psychological support.

Salvo Cocina, president of the Civil Protection Agency in Sicily, told MailOnline: “We wanted to make sure that everyone was offered every kind of help they might need, but no-one from the passengers or the crew accepted counselling.”

He added that they still hoped the six people are alive, saying:“The operation is not complete – we don’t differentiate between rescue and recovery in these circumstances, because the people are still in the boat.

“The divers have not yet reached the cabins, so we have not yet given up hope that there may be air pockets in their keeping them alive.”

Breaking: Two bodies found inside Bayesian yacht

Divers scouring the wreck of the luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily have found the bodies of two of the six passengers who were missing, a source close to the matter said.

Divers with head torches seen entering the water

Divers from the local fire service were seen entering the water with torches attached to their headgear at the site of the shipwreck on Wednesday afternoon.

A police boat and divers were also seen entering the water.

The boats spent a short time at the scene before heading back to the nearby port.

A helicopter hovered overhead.

CCTV footage shows the moment missing tycoon Mike Lynch’s Bayesian yacht is engulfed by storm

CCTV footage has shown the moment a storm off the coast of Sicily engulfed the Bayesian luxury yacht carrying 22 people.

The superyacht was moored around half-a-mile off the coast of Porticello when it sank at around 5am local time on Monday as the area was hit by a storm.

The tall mast of the craft can be seen in the black-and-white footage, as rain appears to be lashing down in the foreground.

CCTV footage shows the moment Bayesian yacht is engulfed by storm

Who was on board the Bayesian yacht and who is still missing?

Italian authorities fear British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and five others he was holidaying with are trapped inside his yacht which sank in a tornado .

As the desperate search for the missing continues in Sicily for a second day, Vincenzo Zagarola of the Italian Coastguard said the working theory of officials is that they were inside. He said search and rescue efforts are yet to deliver any results.

The British-flagged vessel named Bayesian was carrying 12 passengers and 10 members of crew when it sank at around 5am local time on Monday as the area was hit by a storm.

Who was on board the Bayesian yacht and who is still missing

Helicopter drafted in to help with search

A helicopter had been drafted in to help the search effort, as divers from the local fire service were seen entering the water with torches attached to their headgear.

A police boat and divers were also seen entering the water on Wednesday afternoon.

Fire crews from the Vigili del Fuoco said they have been accessing the vessel through natural entrances, without making openings.

Industry experts ‘at a loss’ to explain sudden sinking

Experts have been at a loss to explain how a large luxury vessel, presumed to have top-class fittings and safety features, could have sunk within minutes, as recounted by witnesses. Another yacht anchored next to it was unharmed by the tempest.

The Bayesian, which was owned by Lynch’s wife, was built by Italian shipbuilder Perini in 2008 and last refitted in 2020. It had the world’s tallest aluminium mast, measuring 72 metres, according to its makers.

Its captain James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealander who survived the shipwreck, was a “very good sailor” and “very well respected” in the Mediterranean, his brother Mark told The New Zealand Herald.

Efforts to enter yacht have been hampered by ‘very confined’ spaces

Efforts to locate the missing people have been hampered by “very confined” spaces inside the wreck, fire department spokesman Luca Cari has said.

The Italian coast guard said it was using a remotely operated vehicle to inspect the seabed and take underwater pictures.

An upgraded underwater drone has also been deployed at the site of the wreckage.

Floorplan of sunken yacht shows guest cabins

A floorplan of the sunken Bayesian yacht shows that a number of guest cabins were situated in the middle of the boar, between the technical area and crew area.

Specialist divers are now trying to access the area, to explore whether the six missing tourists became trapped inside.

How sailors can use air pockets to survive in capsized boats for days

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